Ivermectin is a medication derived from avermectins, a class of compounds that are produced by the bacterium Streptomyces avermitilis. Here are the basic components and considerations for Ivermectin as a pharmaceutical product:
1. Active Ingredient:
Ivermectin: The active pharmaceutical ingredient, typically present as a mixture of two closely related compounds:
- 80% 22,23-dihydroavermectin B1a
- 20% 22,23-dihydroavermectin B1b
2. Excipients (inactive ingredients that aid formulation and administration):
- Lactose (or other fillers): Acts as a bulking agent.
- Microcrystalline cellulose: Used as a filler and binder in tablets.
- Magnesium stearate: A lubricant to ensure smooth tablet manufacturing.
- Corn starch: Often included as a disintegrant to help the tablet break down in the body.
- Povidone (polyvinylpyrrolidone): Acts as a binder to keep the tablet cohesive.
- Glycerol or propylene glycol (in liquid formulations): Solvents or stabilizers for oral or topical products.
3. Additional Ingredients in Specific Forms:
- Tablets: May include colorants or film coatings for stability and ease of swallowing.
- Creams/Topicals: May include emulsifiers, stabilizers, or moisturizing agents.
- Injectable Forms: Typically contain a sterile solvent like propylene glycol or glycerin.
These excipients vary slightly depending on the manufacturer and the formulation (tablet, topical, or injectable). The active compound (Ivermectin) is the essential therapeutic agent, while the excipients enhance the product’s usability, stability, and absorption.
Uses of Ivermectin
Ivermectin is an antiparasitic medication that is primarily used to treat a variety of parasitic infections. Some of its common uses include:
- Onchocerciasis (River Blindness): Ivermectin is used to treat this parasitic disease caused by the Onchocerca volvulus worm. It helps to reduce the symptoms and prevent complications, such as blindness, by killing the microfilariae (larvae).
- Strongyloidiasis: This infection, caused by the Strongyloides stercoralis parasite, is treated with ivermectin. The drug kills the larvae of the parasite.
- Lymphatic Filariasis: Ivermectin is used in combination with other drugs to treat lymphatic filariasis, a parasitic infection caused by filarial worms (like Wuchereria bancrofti), which can lead to swelling and damage to the lymphatic system.
- Scabies: Ivermectin is sometimes used to treat scabies, a skin condition caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite. It is particularly useful in severe or crusted cases.
- Head Lice: Ivermectin is also used in topical treatments for head lice infestations, especially in cases that are resistant to other treatments.
- Rosacea: A topical form of ivermectin (Soolantra) is approved for the treatment of rosacea, a skin condition that causes redness and visible blood vessels on the face.
- Intestinal Worm Infections: It can also be used to treat other worm infections, such as those caused by Ascaris lumbricoides (roundworms), Trichuris trichiura (whipworms), and Ancylostoma species (hookworms).
- COVID-19 (Experimental Use): Although not officially approved for treating COVID-19, ivermectin was investigated for this purpose early in the pandemic. However, evidence regarding its effectiveness against COVID-19 is inconclusive, and health authorities, including the FDA and WHO, have not recommended it for COVID-19 treatment.
How Ivermectin Works:
Ivermectin works by binding to specific channels in parasites’ nerve and muscle cells, causing paralysis and death of the parasites. It has a relatively low toxicity to humans, which makes it effective for treating parasitic infections.
Note: While ivermectin is effective for these conditions, it is important to use it under medical supervision as misuse or incorrect dosages can cause side effects.