Ivermectin in Human Medicine, An Overview of the Current Status of Its Clinical Applications

Abstract

Ivermectin is a broad spectrum antiparasitic veterinary drug introduced in human medicine in 1987. It is considered the drug of choice in onchocerciasis and strongyloidiasis infections, and remains as a therapeutic option for mass treatment in lymphatic filariasis, for which it has widely proved its efficacy. While research continued for human use, new therapeutic targets for ivermectin have emerged. It is currently the better therapeutic option in the treatment of gnathostomiasis and crusted scabies, and could be an alternative option in ascariasis and Mansonella infections. Although these uses are already included in clinical guidelines, more trials are needed to increase their grade of evidence and to obtain their official approval. Concerning other minor uses such as the treatment of enterobiasis or against Trichuris trichiura, more research is still needed in order to test the real activity of ivermectin. The use of ivermectin in human medicine has shown an outstanding low rate of adverse reactions, with the exception of treatment of loiasis and onchocerciasis, where the death of a high microfilarial load may cause severe encephalopathy. However special attention must be paid to the emergence of the first documented cases of resistance in treatment of scabies.

Involvement of Purinergic P2X4 Receptors in Alcohol Intake of High-Alcohol-Drinking (HAD) Rats

“…Ivermectin is an anti-parasitic agent used in veterinary and clinical medicine (e.g. Gonzalez et al, 2012). In addition to its anti-helminthic properties, ivermectin is a selective, positive allosteric modulator of ATP-evoked currents at P2X4Rs (Lalo et al 2007; Priel and Silberberg, 2004).…”

Ivermectin: panacea for resource-poor communities?

“…Similarly with other minor uses, such as, for enterobiasis or against Trichuris trichiura, human ivermectin use has seen an outstandingly low rate of adverse reactions, with the exception of inadvertent treatment where loiasis is endemic, where the death of a high microfilarial load may cause severe encephalopathy and possibly fatalities. Generally, ivermectin is well tolerated but relatively minor side effects can occur, including diarrhoea, gastrointestinal upset, headaches, fever, rash, and itching, mostly due to bodily reaction to the death or expulsion of target parasites [33]. Ivermectin has now become: i.…”

P2X4 receptors (P2X4Rs) represent a novel target for the development of drugs to prevent and/or treat alcohol use disorders

“…IVM is an FDA-approved semi-synthetic macrocyclic lactone avermectin used in veterinary and clinical medicine (Richard-Lenoble et al, 2003; Geary, 2005; Fox, 2006; Gonzalez et al, 2012). As an anti-parasitic agent, IVM has been administered to millions of humans, with few reports of severe adverse side effects (Guzzo et al, 2002; Omura, 2008).…”