What Is Ivermectin?

Ivermectin is a medication that treats some parasitic diseases. There are two types of the medication. Doctors prescribe one kind for certain health conditions in people, and veterinarians prescribe another that’s safe only for animals.

What Conditions Does Ivermectin Treat?

In people, the FDA has approved prescription ivermectin tablets to treat two infections caused by parasitic worms:

• Strongyloidiasis, which can cause problems like belly pain, bloating, heartburn, diarrhea, and rashes. However, most people who catch it don’t have symptoms.
• Onchocerciasis, also called river blindness, which can bring on an itchy rash, eye disease, or abnormal growths under the skin.

Doctors can also prescribe a type of ivermectin that you put on your skin (called a topical medication) to treat head lice and skin conditions like rosacea and scabies.

In animals, ivermectin can help prevent heartworm disease and certain parasites.

It’s dangerous for humans to take any drug made for animals, including ivermectin. A dose meant for a big animal like a horse or cow (which can weigh 2,000 pounds or more) can be toxic for a person. Also, some of the inactive ingredients in an animal medication might not be safe for people.