Formulary
Ivermectin: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Ivermectin clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Ivermectin: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Ivermectin clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
Indications and dose
**Papulopustular rosacea**
- **Adult** (To The Skin): Apply once daily for up to 4 months, the treatment course may be repeated. Discontinue if no improvement after 3 months.
**Onchocerciasis**
- **Adult** (By Mouth): 150 micrograms/kg for 1 dose, repeat at intervals of 6 to 12 months, depending on symptoms, must be given until the adult worms die out.
**Scabies**
- **Adult** (By Mouth): 200 micrograms/kg for 1 dose, recovery may take up to 4 weeks after treatment; only repeat the dose within 2 weeks if new specific lesions occur, or if a parasitologic examination is positive at this date.
**Hyperkeratotic (crusted or 'Norwegian') scabies**
- **Adult** (By Mouth): 200 micrograms/kg for 1 dose, a repeat dose within 8 to 15 days may be necessary for recovery.
**Gastrointestinal strongyloidiasis**
- **Adult** (By Mouth): (body-weight 80 kg and above) 18 mg for 1 dose.
**Microfilaraemia in patients with lymphatic filariasis due toWuchereria bancroftiinfection**
- **Adult** (By Mouth): Microfilaraemia in patients with lymphatic filariasis due to Wuchereria bancrofti infection (body-weight 15 kg and above) 150-200 micrograms/kg for 1 dose, to be repeated every 6 months. Consult product literature for more information.
**Onchocerciasis for ivermectin**
- **Child 5-17 years** (By mouth): 150 micrograms/kg for 1 dose, repeat at intervals of 6 to 12 months, depending on symptoms, must be given until adult worms die out.
**Scabies for ivermectin**
- **Child (body-weight 15 kg and above)** (By mouth): 200 micrograms/kg for 1 dose, recovery may take up to 4 weeks after treatment; only repeat the dose within 2 weeks if new specific lesions occur or if a parasitologic examination is positive at this date.
**Hyperkeratotic (crusted or 'Norwegian') scabies for ivermectin**
- **Child (body-weight 15 kg and above)** (By mouth): 200 micrograms/kg for 1 dose, a repeat dose within 8 to 15 days may be necessary for recovery.
**Gastrointestinal strongyloidiasis for ivermectin**
- **Child (body-weight 15-24 kg)** (By mouth): 3 mg for 1 dose.
- **Child (body-weight 25-35 kg)** (By mouth): 6 mg for 1 dose.
- **Child (body-weight 36-50 kg)** (By mouth): 9 mg for 1 dose.
- **Child (body-weight 51-65 kg)** (By mouth): 12 mg for 1 dose.
- **Child (body-weight 66-79 kg)** (By mouth): 15 mg for 1 dose.
- **Child (body-weight 80 kg and above)** (By mouth): 18 mg for 1 dose.
**Microfilaraemia in patients with lymphatic filariasis due to Wuchereria bancrofti infection for ivermectin**
- **Child (body-weight 15 kg and above)** (By mouth): 150-200 micrograms/kg for 1 dose, to be repeated every 6 months. Consult product literature for more information.
Side effects
General side-effects: Common or very common Skin reactions Specific side-effects: Frequency not known With oral use Abdominal pain; abnormal sensation in eye; anaemia; appetite decreased; arthralgia; asthenia; asthma exacerbated; coma; confusion; constipation; diarrhoea; difficulty standing; difficulty walking; dizziness; drowsiness; dyspnoea; encephalopathy; eye erythema; eye inflammation; fever; gastrointestinal disorders; haemorrhage; headache; hepatic disorders; hyperbilirubinaemia; hypereosinophilia; leucopenia; lymphatic abnormalities; Mazzotti reaction; myalgia; nausea; oedema; pain; postural hypotension; psychiatric disorder; severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs); stupor; tachycardia; tremor; urinary incontinence; vertigo; vomiting
Pregnancy
Use only if potential benefit outweighs risk-no adverse effects in limited human data (recommendation also supported by specialist sources). M
Breast feeding
With oral use: Specialist sources indicate present in milk but amount probably too small to be harmful.
Hepatic impairment
With topical use: Caution in severe impairment (no information available). M
Medicinal forms
Tablet,Tablet,Cream
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
Inside MedNext for this topic
- 411 MedNext-authored chapters
- 80,000+ MCQ bank
- 15 study modes
- Growing visual cheat sheets
Study modes
- Notes
- MCQ
- Audio
- Video
- Visual
- 3D Anatomy
- Trace
- Flashcards
- Mnemonics
- Image Bank
- Clinical
- Microscopy
- Audio QBank
- Cadaver
- Book Match
Continue reading
Subject HubPharmacology Hub
All pharmacology resources in one place.
Drug SchedulesIndian Drug Schedules
Schedule H, H1, X and G classifications.
FormularyBrowse all drugs
Search 1,850+ drug profiles.
Study Ivermectin in the MedNext app
Challenge yourself with targeted pharmacology MCQs on this drug class. Every explanation links back to the chapter that teaches the concept.
Start drug challengeExplore the full formulary

