Ivermectin
Ivermectin · Say it: ih-ver-MEK-tin
Ivermectin is a prescription tablet used to treat two kinds of parasite infections: intestinal strongyloidiasis and onchocerciasis.
Brand names: STROMECTOLRID One and DoneSkliceScalp Care Lotions
Used for
The label says ivermectin tablets are used to treat intestinal (nondisseminated) strongyloidiasis, caused by the roundworm Strongyloides stercoralis. It is also used to treat onchocerciasis, caused by the roundworm Onchocerca volvulus.
Comes as
3 mg tablets
Common side effects
Tiredness or weakness (asthenia/fatigue), Stomach pain, Loss of appetite
| Generic name | Ivermectin |
|---|---|
| Brand names | STROMECTOL, RID One and Done, Sklice, Scalp Care Lotions |
| Type of medicine | An antiparasitic medicine, sometimes called a worm-killing medicine (anthelmintic), that the FDA lists as an antiparasitic and pediculicide |
| How it is sold | Prescription medicine taken by mouth (oral tablet) |
| Comes as | 3 mg tablets |
| Route | oral |
| Boxed warning | No |
| Label date | 2026-03-03 |
💊 What is Ivermectin used for?
- The label says ivermectin tablets are used to treat intestinal (nondisseminated) strongyloidiasis, caused by the roundworm Strongyloides stercoralis. It is also used to treat onchocerciasis, caused by the roundworm Onchocerca volvulus.
How it works
The label does not explain the exact way ivermectin works. It describes the medicine as an antiparasitic agent. The label also notes that ivermectin does not kill adult Onchocerca volvulus parasites.
How it is usually taken
- The label says tablets should be taken on an empty stomach with water. For strongyloidiasis, the dose is given as a single dose, and the label says additional doses are generally not needed. Follow-up stool exams are used to check that the infection is gone. For onchocerciasis, the dose is also a single dose. In mass treatment programs, the most common interval between doses is 12 months. For individual patients, the label says retreatment may be considered at shorter intervals. Follow the instructions from your prescriber or pharmacist.
Comes as
- 3 mg tablets
⚠️ Ivermectin side effects
Common side effects
- Tiredness or weakness (asthenia/fatigue)
- Stomach pain
- Loss of appetite
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness, drowsiness, spinning feeling (vertigo), or tremor
- Itching, rash, or hives
- Joint pain or swelling (arthralgia/synovitis)
- Swollen or tender lymph nodes
- Fever
- Eye changes such as limbitis and punctate opacity, which were seen in clinical studies for onchocerciasis
Get medical help right away if
- Get medical help right away if you have confusion, disorientation, drowsiness, stupor, changes in consciousness, or coma. The label says these nervous system reactions have been reported, even at recommended doses.
- Get medical help right away if you have severe reactions during onchocerciasis treatment, such as swelling, a severe skin reaction, or low blood pressure when standing (postural hypotension). The label describes these as Mazzotti reactions.
- Get medical help right away if you have severe eye symptoms, such as red eye or bleeding in the white of the eye.
- In people with onchocerciasis who are also heavily infected with Loa loa, the label describes a rare but serious brain condition (encephalopathy). Signs listed include neck or back pain, red eye, conjunctival hemorrhage, trouble breathing, loss of bladder or bowel control, trouble standing or walking, mental status changes, confusion, lethargy, stupor, seizures, or coma. Get medical help right away if any of these happen.
🛑 Who should not take Ivermectin, and who should be careful
The label says not to take it if
- You are hypersensitive (allergic) to any component of the product. The label lists this as a contraindication.
Tell your doctor before taking it if
- Tell your prescriber or pharmacist if you have had an allergic reaction to ivermectin or any ingredient in the product.
- Tell your prescriber if you have a heavy Loa loa infection or significant exposure to Loa loa areas of West or Central Africa. The label says these people should have an assessment for loiasis before treatment and careful follow-up afterward.
- Tell your prescriber if you have hyperreactive onchodermatitis (sowda). The label says these patients may be more likely to have severe reactions after treatment.
- Tell your prescriber if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
- Tell your prescriber or pharmacist if you take warfarin.
🔀 Ivermectin with other medicines, food and alcohol
The label says to discuss these with your doctor or pharmacist
- Warfarin: The label says that after the medicine was on the market, increases in INR (International Normalized Ratio, a blood clotting test) were rarely reported when ivermectin was taken with warfarin.
Alcohol and food
The label says ivermectin tablets should be taken on an empty stomach with water. The label excerpt does not mention alcohol.
🤰 Ivermectin in pregnancy and breastfeeding
Pregnancy
The label says ivermectin should not be used during pregnancy because its safety in pregnancy has not been established. In animal studies, ivermectin caused birth defects (teratogenic effects) in mice, rats, and rabbits at certain doses. The label notes there are no adequate, well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
Breastfeeding
The label says ivermectin passes into human milk in low amounts. Treatment of a mother who plans to breastfeed should only be done when the risk of delaying treatment for the mother is greater than the possible risk to the newborn.
🗓️ Storage, missed doses and taking too much
Storage
The label excerpt does not give storage temperatures or conditions. It lists the packaging as 10 tablets in a blister pack, with 2 packs in a carton. Ask your pharmacist how to store your supply.
If a dose is missed
The label excerpt does not say what to do if a dose is missed. Ask your prescriber or pharmacist.
If too much is taken
The label says that neurotoxicity, including changes in consciousness (drowsiness, stupor, coma), confusion, disorientation, and death, has been reported with recommended dosage and with overdose. If an overdose is suspected, contact a doctor or emergency service right away.
🗒️ Questions to ask about Ivermectin
🎯 Check what you understood
1. According to the label, how should ivermectin tablets be taken?
2. What does the label say about using ivermectin during pregnancy?
3. Does treatment with ivermectin kill adult Onchocerca parasites, according to the label?
❓ Ivermectin: frequently asked questions
What is ivermectin used for?
The label says ivermectin tablets are used to treat intestinal strongyloidiasis and onchocerciasis, both caused by roundworm parasites. The label describes these as the infections it treats.
Does ivermectin interact with blood thinners?
The label says that increases in INR were rarely reported when ivermectin was taken with warfarin. INR is a blood clotting test.
Can I take ivermectin while breastfeeding?
The label says ivermectin passes into human milk in low amounts. It should only be given to a breastfeeding mother when the risk of delaying treatment outweighs the possible risk to the newborn.
What are the most serious warnings on this label?
The label warns about neurotoxicity, including confusion, drowsiness, stupor, and coma, and about severe Mazzotti reactions in onchocerciasis. It also warns about a rare, serious brain condition in people with heavy Loa loa infection.
Do the lotions for lice, such as Sklice or RID One and Done, work the same way?
This label excerpt describes oral tablets only and does not describe topical lotions. Check the label for the specific product you have.
🧪 Tests and reports linked to Ivermectin
The label text mentions these. If you have one of these reports, get every line of it explained.
- Kidney function tests
a test or report linked to this medicine
- Metabolic panel (BMP, CMP)
a test or report linked to this medicine
- Clotting tests (PT, INR)
a test or report linked to this medicine
- Complete blood count (CBC)
a test or report linked to this medicine
- Culture and sensitivity
a test or report linked to this medicine
- Urinalysis
a test or report linked to this medicine
📖 Medical words used on this page
- Allergic reaction
An allergic reaction is when the immune system overreacts to something harmless, such as a medicine or food, causing symptoms from a rash to swelling.
- Anthelmintic
An anthelmintic is a medicine that kills or removes parasitic worms, such as roundworms, tapeworms and pinworms, from the body.
- Antiparasitic
An antiparasitic is a medicine that treats infections caused by parasites, such as worms, malaria parasites, lice or scabies mites.
- Congenital malformations
Congenital malformations are differences in the structure of the body that are present at birth, such as heart, spine or lip and palate defects.
- Contraindication
A contraindication is a reason not to use a particular medicine, test or procedure for a person because it could cause harm.
- Edema
Edema is swelling caused by extra fluid trapped in the body's tissues, often in the feet, ankles and legs.
- Follow-up appointment
A follow-up appointment is a planned visit after a test, treatment or hospital stay to check progress and decide next steps.
- Hypotension
Hypotension means low blood pressure. It can cause dizziness or fainting, and some medicines can lower blood pressure too far.
- INR (International Normalized Ratio)
INR is a standardised measure of how long your blood takes to clot, often used to check blood-thinning medicines such as warfarin.
- Mass
A mass is a lump or area of tissue, usually larger than a nodule, that takes up space. The word does not say whether it is harmless or not.
- Mazzotti reaction
The Mazzotti reaction is an inflammatory reaction after treatment for river blindness or similar worm infections, as many worm larvae die at once.
- Microfilariae
Microfilariae are the tiny, early-stage larvae of certain parasitic worms, such as those that cause river blindness and lymphatic filariasis.
- Neurological
Neurological means to do with the nervous system: the brain, spinal cord and nerves.
- Neurotoxicity
Neurotoxicity means damage or disturbance to the brain, spinal cord or nerves caused by a medicine, chemical or other toxic substance.
📖 Medical words on this page
⚖️ Compare
Have the leaflet or prescription in front of you?
Explain my leafletDecode my prescription🔗 Trusted sources about Ivermectin
- Full official label on DailyMed ↗
US National Library of Medicine: the complete FDA label this page is based on
- Ivermectin on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine's patient drug information
- Search the NHS website for Ivermectin ↗
UK National Health Service
Report a side effect or check safety alerts
- Report a side effect in the US (FDA MedWatch) ↗
- Report a side effect in the UK (Yellow Card) ↗
- FDA recalls and safety alerts ↗
Explain your own documents
Source: official FDA drug label (label updated 2026-03-03). Read the full label on DailyMed
MedicDecode explains the official label in plain words. It is not medical advice and does not replace your doctor or pharmacist. Never start, stop or change a medicine because of what you read here.