Stromectol
Generic Name: ivermectin
Brand Names: Stromectol
What is Stromectol?
Stromectol (ivermectin) is an antiparasitic medication. It works by paralyzing and killing certain parasites. Ivermectin is effective against various parasitic infections in humans and animals.
Stromectol is primarily used to treat intestinal strongyloidiasis and onchocerciasis (river blindness). It may also be prescribed for other parasitic infections such as scabies, head lice, and certain types of rosacea.
Stromectol is FDA-approved for use in adults and children who weigh at least 15 kg (33 lbs).
Important information
Stromectol should be taken on an empty stomach with water. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Stromectol can cause serious neurological side effects, especially in people with a heavy infestation of certain parasites. Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines.
Do not use Stromectol if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant unless directed by your doctor. It is not known whether ivermectin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Stromectol if you are allergic to ivermectin, or if you have:
- Liver disease
- A parasitic eye infection (except river blindness)
To make sure Stromectol is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
- Liver or kidney disease
- Cancer
- HIV or AIDS
- Any other serious illness
It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Ivermectin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Stromectol should not be given to a child who weighs less than 33 pounds (15 kg).
How should I take Stromectol?
Take Stromectol exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Take Stromectol on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.
Stromectol is usually given as a single dose. Take the medicine all at once with a full glass of water.
You may need to repeat this dosage in 3 to 12 months. Follow your doctor's instructions.
If you are being treated for strongyloidiasis (threadworm), you may need a second dose 1 to 2 weeks after your first dose.
If you are being treated for onchocerciasis (river blindness), you may need to take additional doses every 3 to 12 months. Follow your doctor's instructions.
To effectively treat your infection, you may need to take Stromectol again several months to a year after your first dose. Do not take this medicine more often than prescribed.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since Stromectol is often given as a single dose, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are on a schedule, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include numbness, tingling, trouble breathing, loss of coordination, seizures.
What should I avoid while taking Stromectol?
Avoid drinking alcohol, as it can increase some of the side effects of Stromectol.
Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.
Stromectol side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Stromectol: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- Severe skin rash, itching, or rash with pus
- Eye pain, redness, or swelling
- Loss of vision or other changes in vision
- Fast heart rate, trouble breathing
- Confusion, change in your mental state, balance problems, seizure
- Severe dizziness, fainting
- Low blood pressure (feeling light-headed)
- Loss of coordination, trouble walking
- Neck or back pain, seizure (convulsions)
- Signs of liver problems - nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
Common Stromectol side effects may include:
- Headache, muscle aches
- Dizziness
- Nausea, diarrhea
- Mild skin rash
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect Stromectol?
Other drugs may interact with ivermectin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.
Some medicines can affect how ivermectin works. Tell your doctor if you are taking:
- Warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)
- Any other medications that can affect your central nervous system
Stromectol and Alcohol
Alcohol may increase your risk of side effects from Stromectol. Avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with ivermectin.
Stromectol and Pregnancy
Stromectol is classified as FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether ivermectin will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
Stromectol and Breastfeeding
Ivermectin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
Stromectol and Other Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of taking food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Stromectol Dosage
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
For oral dosage form (tablets):
- For strongyloidiasis:
- Adults and children weighing 15 kilograms (kg) or more—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 200 micrograms (mcg) per kg of body weight as a single dose.
- Children weighing less than 15 kg—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For onchocerciasis:
- Adults and children weighing 15 kg or more—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 150 mcg per kg of body weight as a single dose. Treatment may be repeated every three to twelve months.
- Children weighing less than 15 kg—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Asthma—Use with caution. May make this condition worse.
- Eye problems (e.g., inflammation of the eye or eyelid, swelling around the eye)—Use with caution. May increase risk for more serious eye problems.
- Liver disease—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider.
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