Ivermectin, Oral

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KEY POINTS

• This medicine is taken by mouth to treat strongyloidiasis or onchocerciasis infections. Take it exactly as directed.
• Keep all appointments for tests to see how this medicine affects you.
• This medicine may cause unwanted side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that are serious, continue, or get worse.
• Tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take.

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What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antihelmintic (antiworm)

Generic and brand names: ivermectin, oral; Stromectol

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to treat:

• Strongyloidiasis, an infection of the intestines caused by parasites called threadworms
• Onchocerciasis, an infection caused by the bite of the black fly

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• An allergic reaction to any medicine
• A weakened immune system from cancer treatment, diseases such as HIV/AIDS, or from taking steroid medicines or medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection
• Liver disease

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I take it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. This medicine is usually taken in 1 dose. You may need to take other doses 3 to 12 months later to kill parasites that are inside cysts. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes.

Check with your healthcare provider before using this medicine in children weighing less than 33 pounds (15 kg).

Take this medicine on an empty stomach with a full glass of water. If you do not understand these treatments, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist to explain.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: skin rash, swelling, headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, seizures, shortness of breath, numbness, tingling.

What should I watch out for?

A sample of your bowel movement (bowel movements) will be tested after treatment to determine if all worms have been killed.

This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

You may feel dizzy or faint when you get up quickly after sitting or lying down. Getting up slowly may help. Also, drinking alcohol may make it worse. Do not drink alcohol while being treated with this medicine unless your healthcare provider approves.

If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (Report these to your healthcare provider right away.): Swelling or tenderness in various parts of your body including your armpits, neck, and groin; seizures; irregular heartbeat; redness, pain, swelling, or irritation of the eye or eyelid.

Other: Dizziness, drowsiness, hives, tiredness, trouble sleeping, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, headache.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• Live vaccines such as BCG, cholera, or typhoid vaccine
• Warfarin (Coumadin)

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.