Stromectol is a well-established antiparasitic medication used to treat select infections caused by susceptible parasites. While it has been available for decades and is included on the World Health Organization’s Model List of Essential Medicines, it must be used appropriately, under guidance from a qualified health professional. This article provides clear, evidence-based information on indications, how it works, dosing and use considerations, safety and side effects, drug interactions, and special precautions for different patient groups. It also addresses common misconceptions and explains current U.S. prescription policies.
Stromectol contains ivermectin, an anthelmintic (antiparasitic) agent. It is primarily used for infections caused by certain parasitic worms and, in some cases, mites. Approved and commonly accepted uses include:
Clinicians also use ivermectin for certain off-label indications when appropriate:
Important clarification: Stromectol is not approved for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19. High-quality clinical trials have not shown a clear clinical benefit for COVID-19, and major public health authorities advise against using ivermectin for this purpose outside of clinical trials. Veterinary formulations should never be used in humans.
Ivermectin targets glutamate-gated chloride channels in nerve and muscle cells of many parasites. By increasing the permeability of cell membranes to chloride ions, it causes paralysis and death of susceptible organisms. These channels are not present in humans; additionally, in humans the drug’s entry into the central nervous system is limited by the blood-brain barrier and P-glycoprotein efflux pumps. This explains its favorable therapeutic window when used correctly. However, conditions that alter the integrity of the blood-brain barrier or markedly elevate ivermectin levels can increase the risk of neurologic adverse effects.
Always follow the instructions from your prescriber and the product label. General guidance for oral Stromectol tablets includes:
Because dosing can vary by indication, region, and clinical status, do not self-medicate. Use only the formulation and dose prescribed for you.
When traveling, keep Stromectol in your carry-on bag with the original label and your prescription information.
Active ingredient: ivermectin.
Stromectol is available as oral tablets in multiple strengths. Topical ivermectin products exist for other dermatologic conditions; do not interchange oral and topical products unless specifically instructed by your clinician. Different brands and generics may vary by inactive ingredients, but they contain the same active medicine when approved by regulatory agencies.
Do not use Stromectol if you have a known allergy to ivermectin or any component of the product. Inform your healthcare professional about your full medical history before taking ivermectin, especially if any of the following apply:
Always inform your prescriber and pharmacist about all medications and supplements you take. Notable interactions include:
This is not a complete interaction list. Before starting, stopping, or changing any medicine, consult your healthcare provider.
Most people tolerate ivermectin well. When side effects occur, they are often mild and self-limited. Common symptoms include:
Less common or serious reactions require prompt medical attention:
If you develop severe or rapidly worsening symptoms, seek emergency care. Always inform your clinician about new or concerning side effects during or after treatment.
Using Stromectol responsibly helps protect individual patients and community health:
Public interest in ivermectin surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to confusion and misinformation. Key points:
In many regions, ivermectin is available as an affordable generic. Prices vary by dose, pharmacy, and insurance coverage. To obtain Stromectol safely and legally in the United States:
Public health programs in endemic regions frequently distribute ivermectin through structured campaigns to control onchocerciasis; participation is coordinated locally and follows regional protocols and safety checks.
In the United States, Stromectol (ivermectin) is a prescription-only medication for human use. A licensed clinician must evaluate your medical needs and, if appropriate, provide a prescription that you can fill at a state-licensed pharmacy. It is neither safe nor legal to obtain prescription medications from unverified sources or without a valid prescription. Telehealth visits, urgent care clinics, infectious disease specialists, and primary care offices can all provide lawful evaluation and prescriptions where indicated.
HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Fort Worth offers lawful, structured clinical pathways for patients to be evaluated by qualified professionals and, when medically appropriate, to access Stromectol through proper prescription and dispensing channels. This ensures patient safety, regulatory compliance, and continuity of care. If you believe you may have a parasitic infection that could require ivermectin, consider arranging a consultation with a licensed healthcare provider who can assess your condition and guide you to safe, evidence-based treatment options.
Stromectol is the brand name for oral ivermectin, an antiparasitic medicine used to treat infections caused by certain parasites, including onchocerciasis (river blindness) and strongyloidiasis; it is also used off-label for scabies, crusted scabies, and head lice when topical therapy fails or isn’t appropriate.
Ivermectin binds to glutamate-gated chloride channels in nerve and muscle cells of parasites, causing paralysis and death of the parasite; it has minimal activity in human nervous tissue because it poorly crosses the blood–brain barrier at usual doses.
Take a single dose based on your body weight with water on an empty stomach (typically 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal), unless your clinician advises otherwise; follow-up or repeat dosing depends on the condition being treated.
A common regimen is 200 micrograms per kilogram of body weight as a single dose, with some guidelines recommending a second dose on day 2; stool or serologic tests are often repeated two weeks or more after treatment to confirm cure.
For classic scabies, a typical off-label regimen is 200 micrograms per kilogram taken once and repeated in 7–14 days; in crusted (severe) scabies, multiple doses combined with a topical scabicide (such as permethrin) and decontamination measures are usually needed.
Many people notice improvement in itching or skin symptoms within a few days, but itching can persist for weeks as the skin heals; for strongyloidiasis, gastrointestinal or skin symptoms often improve within days, while lab tests may take weeks to normalize.
Headache, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, mild rash, and fatigue are most common; in onchocerciasis, a transient Mazzotti reaction (fever, itching, rash, joint pains, swollen lymph nodes) may occur due to dying microfilariae.
Seek urgent care for severe allergic reactions, severe rash, vision changes, confusion, loss of coordination, chest pain, shortness of breath, or signs of severe Mazzotti reaction such as high fever, low blood pressure, or intense swelling of the face and eyes.
Avoid use if you have a known allergy to ivermectin; use caution or specialist guidance if you have significant liver disease, a heavy Loa loa (African eye worm) infection risk, or if you are taking certain medications that raise ivermectin blood levels.
Safety is established in children who weigh at least 15 kg (about 33 lb); for smaller children, data are limited and a pediatric specialist should advise on risks and alternatives.
No, Stromectol requires a prescription; be cautious of nonprescription sources or veterinary formulations, which may be unsafe or inappropriate for human use.
No, reputable guidelines and regulators do not recommend ivermectin for COVID-19 outside clinical trials; it is not approved for this use, and misuse can cause harm.
If you miss a scheduled repeat dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is close to the next dose; do not double up—contact your clinician for guidance on timing.
Yes, for strongyloidiasis, stool or serologic testing is typically repeated to confirm cure; for onchocerciasis, periodic dosing and eye/skin assessments are recommended; for scabies, follow-up is based on symptom resolution.
Store tablets at room temperature away from excess heat, moisture, and light; keep in the original container and out of reach of children and pets.
Moderate alcohol is not known to have a major interaction with ivermectin, but alcohol can worsen dizziness and dehydration; avoid drinking around the time of dosing and until you know how the medicine affects you.
Data in pregnancy are limited; most guidelines recommend avoiding ivermectin during pregnancy unless the benefits clearly outweigh risks; if treatment is needed, it should be guided by an obstetrician or infectious disease specialist.
Small amounts pass into breast milk; many authorities consider it compatible with breastfeeding after the first postpartum week for approved indications, but discuss timing and necessity with your clinician.
Ivermectin is typically given as single or intermittent doses, so there is usually nothing to “hold,” but inform your surgical team about recent doses; because it can cause dizziness, be cautious with sedatives and follow perioperative instructions.
Ivermectin is metabolized in the liver; use with caution, avoid unnecessary repeat dosing, and consider liver function monitoring—your clinician may select alternatives or adjust timing based on disease severity.
In people with high Loa loa microfilarial loads, ivermectin can rarely cause severe neurologic reactions; screening is recommended before treatment if you have lived in or traveled to Loa loa–endemic regions of West and Central Africa.
Yes; drugs that inhibit P-glycoprotein or CYP3A4 (such as certain macrolides, azole antifungals, or grapefruit) may raise ivermectin levels, and warfarin effects can be potentiated; always provide a full medication list to your clinician.
Because ivermectin can cause dizziness or sleepiness in some people, avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how you respond, especially on the day of dosing.
Both are macrocyclic lactones; ivermectin is the long-standing standard, while moxidectin (approved for patients 12 years and older) can suppress microfilariae longer and reduce skin microfilarial density more robustly in some studies; choice depends on availability, age, programmatic use, and clinician judgment.
Ivermectin generally has higher cure rates and better tolerability than albendazole for strongyloidiasis; albendazole may be used if ivermectin is unavailable or contraindicated, but it often requires longer or repeated courses.
Ivermectin has largely replaced thiabendazole due to superior tolerability and similar or better efficacy; thiabendazole is associated with more gastrointestinal and neurologic adverse effects.
Permethrin 5% cream is first-line for most patients; oral ivermectin is a useful alternative when topical therapy fails, cannot be used, or for outbreaks and crusted scabies; some cases benefit from combining both.
Benzyl benzoate is a topical scabicide that can be irritating; ivermectin is oral and generally easier to administer in institutions or in crusted scabies; efficacy can be similar when used correctly, but tolerability and adherence often favor ivermectin in complex cases.
Malathion is a topical pediculicide; ivermectin can be used orally off-label or as a topical lotion (different product) for lice; resistance patterns, patient age, and safety considerations guide the choice, with ivermectin useful in resistant cases or when nit combing is difficult.
Spinosad 0.9% topical kills live lice and many eggs and usually requires less combing; oral ivermectin can be effective for resistant infestations or mass treatment needs; safety profiles differ, and age restrictions apply, so clinician guidance is important.
Oral ivermectin treats systemic parasitic infections and scabies/lice when topical therapy fails; topical ivermectin formulations are for skin conditions (e.g., head lice lotion, rosacea cream) and do not treat internal parasites.
Ivermectin is preferred for strongyloidiasis and onchocerciasis; mebendazole is commonly used for whipworm, roundworm, and some hookworm infections; selection depends on the identified parasite and local resistance patterns.
Pyrantel pamoate is often first-line and available over the counter for pinworms; ivermectin can work but is not typically the first choice; household treatment and hygiene measures are crucial regardless of the agent.
No; praziquantel targets trematodes and cestodes (e.g., schistosomiasis, tapeworms), while ivermectin targets specific nematodes and ectoparasites; each agent is used for different parasites based on susceptibility.
DEC is used for lymphatic filariasis in areas without onchocerciasis, while ivermectin is preferred where onchocerciasis coexists; DEC can worsen onchocerciasis-related adverse reactions, so epidemiology dictates the choice and combination therapies.
Written on 2 March, 2023: Laura Jenkins
Re-written on 8 October, 2025: Cristina Matera, MD