Stromectol (Ivermectin)

What is Stromectol?

Stromectol is an antiparasitic drug that is also known by its chemical name known as Ivermectin. This medicine came into the medicine list in 1975 and initially, veteran doctors gave this medicine to prevent acariasis and heartworm issues. In 1987 Stromectol got approval for human use to treat conditions like scabies, ascariasis, or head lice. Stromectol is an anthelmintics class of family medicines. Due to its discovery and mechanism to kill a variety of parasites in both humans and vets. Stromectol has the approval of the FDA (Food and drug administration) as an antiparasitic drug. During the time of 2018, more than 100,000 prescriptions were made making Stromectol as 420th most commonly given medicine by several doctors.

Stromectol (Ivermectin) is a FDA Approved antiparasitic medication used to treat certain parasitic roundworm infections of the skin, eyes & intestinal tract including onchocerciasis (river blindness), strongyloidiasis, scabies, heartworm, acariasis and other parasitic infections.

What are The Medical Uses of Stromectol?

Stromectol contains Ivermectin which is an antiparasitic drug to treat ectoparasites & roundworms like hookworm & whipworms. This medicine is given to a huge number of people in the community who are suffering from worm infections like lymphatic filariasis and river blindness (onchocerciasis) as a mass drug administration campaign. Ivermectin comes along with diethylcarbamazine citrate and albendazole as a combination treatment for lymphatic filariasis. This medicine is an effective drug to combat a condition known as Strongyloidiasis. 

Primarily this medicine is given during the treatment of cutaneous larva migrans and mansonella ozzardi. You can use this medicine for treating ascariasis too according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A combination of albendazole, mebendazole, and ivermectin is given when a person is going through whipworm treatment. When it comes to Gnathostomiasis condition, Stromectol is given to those patients under second-line treatment. Topical or oral Ivermectin is given to patients who are suffering from Scabies due to Sarcoptes scabiei mite. Also, you can treat problems like head lice, pubic lice, rosacea & blepharitis easily with Stromectol. 

How does Stromectol Tablet Work?

Stromectol works through many mechanisms in order to kill various parasites according to the patient’s conditions. Stromectol interferes with the nerve and muscle functions of targeted insects and parasitic worms by binding to glutamate-gated chloride channels present in nerve and muscle cells of invertebrate species. When the flow of chloride ions and hyper-polarizes the cell membranes increases due to Stromectiol binding, the invertebrate parasitic worms and insects paralyzes and die. 

In mammals, this medicine is safe to use to a certain extent because, during the time of working, this medicine usually does not cross the blood-brain barrier or bind to other mammalian ligand-gated channels. If you extend the dose to a high range then crossing of the blood-brain barrier in mammals might occur affecting brain levels in a few hours (2-5 hours). In cases of treating issues of mites and insects then the first dose of Ivermectin kills active mites excluding the eggs. The second dose kills the newly hatched eggs.

In short. Stromectol works by binding to certain proteins in the nervous system and muscles of parasites, leading to paralysis and death of the parasite. It is effective against a variety of parasites, including threadworms, roundworms, and mites, among others.

When and How to Take Stromectol?

Stromectol is a generic medicine that requires a doctor’s proper prescription. You should further discuss your pre-existing conditions before consuming this medicine especially if you have a liver problem, kidney problem, HIV/AIDS, or cancer. This medication is not advisable for breastfeeding mothers, pregnant women, and infants. Doctors prescribe Stromectol to children who are more than 15 kgs only. It is advisable to keep Stromectol dosage on low levels because a high dosage can lead to side effects. 

Your doctor will only provide you the dose as per your body’s requirement to combat such conditions given above. You should take a single dose of this medicine only on empty stomach also remember that you should consume it 1 to 2 hours after a meal with a proper full glass of water orally. When patients have low immunity problems, their doctor usually goes for more than one dose of Stromectol on regular basis according to doctors’ instructions. Your doctor may require frequent stool samples for testing in order to check and verify if this medicine is working on you or not.

What are The Dosage Guidelines of Stromectol?

Your dosing pattern for Stromectol may vary depending on the conditions you are facing. On the basis of your weight and age doses of Stromectol are further split. 

For Strongyloidiasis (Adults):

0.2 mg per kg once a day. Patients with weak immunity due to HIV should take Ivermectin twice a week along with suppressive therapy once a month.

For Ascariasis (Adults):

0.2 mg per kg once a day.

For Onchocerciasis (Adults):

0.15 mg/kg orally once every year. Retreatment every 3 to 6 months may require in cases of severe ocular infection. 

For Cutaneous Larva Migrans:

0.2 mg per kg once a day.

For scabies (Adults):

0.15 mg/kg orally once a day but twice a week. The doctor may combine Stromectol with a topical scabicide as well.

For general Filariasis (Adults):

0.2 mg per kg once a day.

For Bancroftian filariasis (Adults):

0.4 mg per kg once a year orally along with a dose of 6 mg per kg diethylcarbamazine single dose for 4 to 6 years

For general Filariasis (Children):

Kids who are 5 or more than 5 years of age are given 0.4 mg per kg once a year orally along with a dose of 6 mg per kg diethylcarbamazine single dose for 4 to 6 years.

What If One Misses A Dose of Stromectol?

When you have a scheduled prescription of this drug then you should take it as soon as you remember it only if the next dose interval has some time left. Most of the time, this medicine is given to patients on a single dose and in such cases missing a dose cannot impact much as you can take it at any point of day one time only. Do not overdose by taking the missing medicine along with the recent one as it can lead you to side effects.

Overdose Guidelines for Stromectol?

Overdose or high dosage of Stromectol can affect a mammal’s brain system after 2 to 5 hours of administration and the possibility of crossing the blood-brain barrier or binding to other mammalian ligand-gated channels becomes high. Seek medical help quickly as this medicine can lead you to worse side effects.

What are The Side Effects of Stromectol?

Even though this medicine is effective against several parasitic worms and insects but also it can bring along a long list of side effects to consumers like:

• Eye pain
• Combination of skin rash and pus
• Redness in eye regions
• Itching skin
• Puffy eyes
• Skin rashes
• Vision problems
• Confusion
• Body imbalances
• Struggle to walk
• Swollen glands
• Stomach ache
• Fever
• Joint pain
• Hand or feet swells
• Trouble breathing
• Loss of bladder control
• Fast heartbeat
• Loss of bowel control
• Seizures
• Back or neck pain
• Severe dizziness
• Fainting
• Headaches
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Anorexia
• Vertigo
• Pruritus
• Urticaria

Who should Avoid Stromectol?

Here is a list of people who should definitely avoid consuming Stromectol as follows:

• Kids below 15 kgs
• Breastfeeding women
• Pregnant women
• Women who wish to conceive a baby

What are The Medicines to Avoid while Treating with Stromectol?

There are some medicines that cannot interact with Ivermectin-containing medicines like Stromectol as follows:

• Herbal products
• NAC (acetylcysteine)
• Quercetin
• Loratadine
• Phenobarbital
• Butalbital
• Ubiquinone
• Apixaban
• Fish Oil 
• Barbiturates
• Benzodiazepines
• Clonazepam
• Lorazepam
• Sodium oxybate (GHB)
• Valproic acid
• Levothyroxine
• Tylenol
• Zinc sulfate
• Cetirizine
• Vitamin D3
• Over-the-counter medicines
• Aspirin
• Diphenhydramine
• Vitamin C
• Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids
• Metoprolol Succinate ER 
• Metoprolol Tartrate 
• Guaifenesin
• Acetaminophen
• Vitamin B12
• Alprazolam

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. Can animals use Stromectol too?

Initially, this medication was given to animals for treating and preventing heartworm and acariasis. So, yes Ivermectin-containing medicines like Stromectol can be also given to animals. 

Q. Is Stromectol an over-the-counter medicine?

Stromectol is a generic medicine that has FDA approval in America.

Q. Is Stromectol a steroid?

Stromectol is an antiparasitic drug/agent that treats various parasitic worms and insects in humans and other mammals also.

Q. Can Stromectol cause a high heart rate?

When it comes to Stromectol’s side effects then it also includes rapid heart rate too.

Q. What is the component of Stromectol?

Stromectol contains Ivermectin as an active component.