What is ivermectin?
Ivermectin is a prescription drug used primarily to treat diseases caused by parasites such as mites, lice or threadworms. It thus belongs to the group of anthelmintics (anthelmintics). Ivermectin is effective in both humans and animals. Doctors use the drug not only to treat parasite-related diseases such as scabiosis or filariasis. Doctors also use the drug to treat the skin disease rosacea.
What are the side effects of ivermectin?
In the usual dosage, side effects from ivermectin tablets are rare. They usually occur temporarily and last only a short time.
The typical side effects include:
- Allergic reactions (e.g., fever, cough, rarely asthmatic attacks).
- Itching (pruritus), skin rash, wheals, or rarely skin edema
- headache, muscle and joint pain
- accelerated heartbeat
- fatigue, weakness and dizziness
- loss of appetite, nausea and rarely vomiting
In addition, an overdose of ivermectin poses major health risks! Then there is a risk of neurological complications such as coordination and movement disorders, blurred vision, pronounced breathing difficulties, unconsciousness, coma or even death.
Does ivermectin help against corona?
Ivermectin is not a miracle drug against the coronavirus and Covid-19, as is evident from the data collected to date. The European Medicines Agency (EMA), for example, is against the current use of the drug against Covid-19. According to the agency, ivermectin alone should be investigated further in clinical trials. This is also the view of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Robert Koch Institute (RKI).
Previous studies have limited significance, as their results are contradictory and in some cases difficult to compare with each other. There were isolated indications of a slight or at least theoretical effect of ivermectin:
Antiviral effect: Laboratory tests showed some antiviral effect of ivermectin against Sars-CoV-2, but this seems to require very high concentrations. These would most likely be enormously toxic to humans.
That ivermectin is of use against infection with Sars-CoV-2 or helps against Covid-19 is not currently proven. On the contrary, there is a risk of serious damage if it is taken in an uncontrolled manner. Ivermectin should therefore only be taken as part of clinical trials under medical supervision.
How does ivermectin work?
In addition, ivermectin acts against their laid insect eggs: it prevents the offspring from hatching in the host organism or kills them directly (ovicide).
At the approved dosage, ivermectin can barely pass the blood-brain barrier in humans. The function of the human brain, spinal cord and nerve tracts is therefore not affected when used correctly.
When do doctors prescribe ivermectin?
Initially used only in animals, ivermectin was first approved as a drug for humans in the late 1980s. Doctors now use the active ingredient primarily to treat various parasitic infectious diseases:
Ascariasis: The causative agent of ascariasis also belongs to the nematodes (Nematoda). They are widespread worldwide in tropical and subtropical areas – but rare in Germany. The main as well as the final host is the human being. Infection usually occurs through contaminated water or food. Read more about this in our article roundworms.
Scabiosis (Scabies): This infectious disease is caused by the scabies mite (Sarcoptes scabiei). Affected individuals have typical rashes and severe itching. Doctors use ivermectin tablets primarily when the disease is very pronounced or recurs frequently. You can read all the important information about this in our article Scabies.
In addition, doctors also use ivermectin in individual cases of the inflammatory skin disease rosacea. It usually affects the face and is initially manifested by reddening of the skin and fine dilated vessels. Ivermectin is used here as a cream.
In Switzerland, ivermectin is only approved for the treatment of rosacea, but not as a parasitic agent as in Germany or Austria.
How is ivermectin used?
For rosacea, the drug is available locally as a cream. Patients usually apply this once a day to the affected area of the skin. The treatment usually lasts for several months.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Since ivermectin is highly fat-soluble, the substance can pass into breast milk during breastfeeding. Doctors therefore prescribe the drug only if it is sure to do more good than possible harm to the child.
When should you not take ivermectin?
Patients should not take ivermectin if they are known to be intolerant to the drug.
The effects on traffic ability have not been systematically studied. Some patients may develop temporary dizziness or fatigue from ivermectin. This in turn may affect the ability to drive.
