09/22/2025
Millions of people worldwide are affected by parasitic infections annually. Usually, there are no signs of these infections reported; however, some may develop life-threatening symptoms. Parasites are organisms that require a host (a living organism) to obtain the nutrients necessary for their survival. Parasites living and reproducing in your body may cause infections and illness. You can easily get infected by consuming contaminated food, eating uncooked meat, coming into contact with contaminated surfaces or water, and getting bitten by bugs, especially when traveling. The good news is that there are antiparasitic medications available that can be used to treat these parasitic infections. Moving forward, we will explore how antiparasitic medications, like Stromectol, work in treating infections caused by specific parasites.
Stromectol belongs to the class of drugs known as anthelmintics. The generic name of this medication is ivermectin, which is an oral form of Stromectol. Ivermectin is an anti-parasitic medication that can be used to treat various parasitic diseases, including parasitic worms, whipworm, hookworm, and external parasites. It functions by paralyzing the muscles of the parasites, which further leads to their death. It does not affect mammals as it is unable to enter the mammal’s central nervous system. Ivermectin tablets may help the human immune system fight off immature worms and kill them. These tablets could also prevent the parasite from releasing proteins that help it evade the body’s natural defenses.
Stromectol/Ivermectin is used to treat parasitic diseases, including strongyloidiasis, an infection caused when a certain type of roundworm enters the body through the skin after coming into contact with an infected person’s surface. It travels through the airways and ends up in your intestines. Ivermectin works against Strongyloides stercoralis, a worm that lives in the intestines. Similarly, it is also used to control onchocerciasis, commonly known as river blindness. This infection can cause lumps under the skin, rashes, and increase the risk of vision problems, including loss of eyesight. Ivermectin belongs to a category of drugs called anthelmintics that kill parasites by disrupting their nerves and muscles. In the case of onchocerciasis, it can only kill the younger, developing worms. However, it can’t kill the adult worms, which are the main cause of onchocerciasis, so it can't cure the infection, but it does help control it. Ivermectin can be used for other purposes, as determined by your healthcare professional.
Side effects that need to be reported to the healthcare professional as soon as possible are:
Allergic reactions can cause skin inflammation, itching, hives, and swelling in the face, inside the mouth, or throat.
Change in vision
Dizziness
Pain, tingling, or numbness in the hands or paws, muscle weakness, change in vision, confusion or problem speaking, loss of balance or coordination, trouble walking, seizures
Side effects that typically do not need medical attention (notify your health care team if they continue or worsen):
Fatigue
Nausea
Diarrhea
Dizziness
Stomach pain
Tremors or shaking
Vomiting
Keep in mind that this list may not include every possible side effect. If you experience side effects that aren't listed above, it's a good idea to reach out to your healthcare team.
Ivermectin is a tablet you take by mouth. You usually take it as a single dose on an empty stomach with water. If you are using ivermectin to treat onchocerciasis, you may need more doses after 3, 6, or 12 months to control your infection. Carefully follow the instructions on your prescription label. If you don't understand something, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Take ivermectin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less than your doctor prescribed, and do not take it more often than advised.
If you are using ivermectin to treat strongyloidiasis, you should undergo a stool examination at least three times during the first three months after treatment to check if the infection has cleared. If it hasn't cleared, your doctor will likely prescribe additional doses of ivermectin.
It's crucial to know that your healthcare provider will recommend the adequate dosage. However, please refer to the standard dosage recommendations below.
Dose: 0.15 mg/kg by mouth once every 12 months
Retreatment for individual patients may be considered at intervals as short as 3 months.
15 kg to 25 kg: Stromectol 3 mg by mouth one time
26 kg to 44 kg: Stromectol 6 mg by mouth one time
45 kg to 64 kg: Stromectol 9 mg by mouth one time
65 kg to 84 kg: Stromectol 12 mg by mouth one time
85 kg or more: 0.15 mg/kg by mouth one time
Dose: 0.2 mg/kg orally once
Generally, additional doses are not required. However, follow-up stool examinations should be conducted to confirm the eradication of the infection.
15 to 24 kg: Ivermectin 3 mg by mouth one time
25 to 35 kg: Ivermectin 6 mg by mouth one time
36 to 50 kg: Ivermectin 9 mg by mouth one time
51 to 65 kg: Ivermectin 12 mg by mouth one time
66 to 79 kg: Ivermectin 15 mg by mouth one time
80 kg or more: 0.2 mg/kg by mouth one time
Before using Stromectol, you should follow the below-mentioned precautions and warnings to avoid any further consequences:
If you are allergic to Ivermectin or any of the active ingredients used in the medication, be sure not to take it, as it could trigger a reaction and worsen the situation.
If you have ever had any sort of liver disease or any kidney-related issue, or if you have it now. It becomes essential that you inform your medical professional of this so that, when prescribing any medication for you, they may take this into consideration, as these conditions may impact your ability to take these medications safely.
It also becomes essential to discuss with your doctor if you are going through chronic health issues such as HIV, AIDS, or Cancer, which can adversely impact your immune system and can make the situation worse.
It is unclear if Ivermectin (Stromectol) is safe during pregnancy. It is recommended to notify your physician if you are pregnant or planning to have a pregnancy in the near future.
Ivermectin can also be transferred to the breast milk, so it becomes crucial to seek guidance before taking this medication if you are currently breastfeeding.
The most important consideration is that Ivermectin is not intended for children weighing less than 15 kilograms, as it may compromise the patient's health and safety.
Parasitic infections affect millions of people around the world, causing a lot of suffering, and in some cases, they can also lead to death, mostly in underdeveloped countries. Prevention becomes crucial because no vaccines for parasitic diseases have been developed yet; however, the good news is that we now have some antiparasitic medications available that can play a vital role in the prevention and treatment of most types of infections. Taking precautionary measures like maintaining good hygiene, avoiding contaminated food and water, and being cautious of insect bites, especially when traveling, should be your first priority. If you experience any unusual symptoms that you are unsure about, you should talk to your doctor, as they're here to help address your concerns and direct you towards the best treatment alternatives for your health and well-being.
Stromectol belongs to a class of medication known as anthelmintics. It is used by humans to treat intestinal infections and river blindness from threadworms and all other kinds of worms. It paralyzes or kills the worms by interfering with their nerve and muscle functions.
Stromectol is usually administered as a single dose; however, for exact dosage information, please consult your doctor. The recommended dosage for treating onchocerciasis is approximately 150 mcg of ivermectin per kilogram of body weight, and for strongyloidiasis, it is approximately 200 mcg per kilogram of body weight. Ivermectin may be prescribed for children weighing at least 15 kilograms (kg), or approximately 33 pounds (lb).
You should not use Stromectol if you are allergic to ivermectin. You should inform your doctor if you have a history of liver disease or a kidney problem. Other conditions, like HIV, AIDS, or cancer, may weaken your immune system. It is also not known if ivermectin can harm unborn babies, so you should notify your physician if you are pregnant or planning a baby. The drug can also be transferred into breast milk, so consult your doctor if you breastfeed. A child weighing less than 15 kilograms should not be given Stromectol.
Ivermectin may cause side effects. Inform your physician if any of these symptoms persist or become severe.
• Dizziness
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach pain or bloating
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Weakness
• Uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
• Chest discomfort
Always tell your doctor about any prescription or over-the-counter medications, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are taking. Especially, make sure to discuss this with your doctor if you are taking warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), a blood thinner.
This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Stromectol. Always check with your healthcare provider for confirmation.
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