Successful management of poisoning with ivermectin (Mectizan) in the Obala health district (Centre Region, Cameroon): a case report

Abstract

Background Ivermectin (Mectizan) is an anthelmintic drug that plays a major role in the fight against two major filarial diseases, onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis. Unlike previous drugs that had serious and sometimes fatal side effects, ivermectin has been considered to be safe and, therefore, is widely used. Data reporting the clinical presentation of poisoning with ivermectin are very scanty, even in experimental studies. Case presentation In this paper, we report the case of a 19-year-old Black African female student residing in Obala (Centre Region, Cameroon) who was admitted to a health facility in Central Cameroon for a neurological disorder after intoxication with about 400 tablets of ivermectin 3 mg (~100 times the standard doses). This neurological disorder was characterized by somnolence, kinetic ataxia, increase of tendon reflex, and central visual disturbance. Management of this intoxication consisted of symptomatic treatment and monitoring of hemodynamic parameters for 5 days, with a favorable course. Conclusions This is the first report of a poisoning with ivermectin at ~100 times the recommended dose. This case report confirms the safety and tolerability of ivermectin, even at exceptionally high dose.