Common use of Stromectol (ivermectin)
Stromectol contains ivermectin, an antiparasitic used to treat infections caused by nematodes and ectoparasites. In the United States, its FDA‑approved indications include strongyloidiasis (intestinal threadworm) and onchocerciasis (river blindness). Clinicians also use ivermectin off-label for scabies outbreaks, crusted scabies, and refractory head lice when topical agents fail or cannot be used. By binding parasite glutamate-gated chloride channels, Stromectol disrupts nerve and muscle function, leading to paralysis and death of susceptible organisms.
Because it may not clear all life stages at once, plans often use a single dose with a timed repeat or adjunctive permethrin for scabies. Stromectol reduces parasite burden; yet inflammation from dying microfilariae can briefly worsen itching or swelling in onchocerciasis. Your clinician tailors therapy to the organism, regional considerations, and your health status, including age and weight.
Dosage and direction
For FDA‑approved indications, dosing is weight‑based. For strongyloidiasis, adults and children ≥15 kg typically receive a single oral dose of 200 micrograms/kg; some clinicians repeat the dose after two weeks in persistent infection. For onchocerciasis, a single dose of 150 micrograms/kg is used, with retreatment every 3–12 months to suppress microfilariae. Take Stromectol on an empty stomach with water, at least one hour before food, unless your prescriber advises otherwise. Always follow local guidelines and your clinician’s plan.
Off‑label for scabies, many experts prescribe 200 micrograms/kg as a single dose repeated after 7–14 days; in crusted scabies, multiple doses combined with topical agents and decontamination are routine. For difficult head‑lice cases, 200–400 micrograms/kg may be used under specialist direction. Do not split or chew tablets. If you vomit within an hour of dosing, contact your prescriber about repeating the dose. Adherence to timing, hygiene measures, and treatment of close contacts helps prevent reinfestation.
Pediatric use under 15 kg remains off‑label; emerging data exist, but many guidelines avoid routine use. Older adults and those with liver impairment need closer monitoring. Never self‑adjust the dose; seek clinician guidance if your weight changes.
Precautions
Before taking Stromectol, tell your clinician about all medical conditions and medicines. Safety in pregnancy is not well established; use only if potential benefit outweighs risk, and discuss timing if you are trying to conceive. Small amounts pass into breast milk; most authorities consider a single, standard dose compatible with breastfeeding, but individualized counseling is prudent. Use caution with significant liver disease, heavy alcohol use, or malnutrition, which can affect drug handling and side‑effect risk.
Neurologic toxicity is rare but more likely if the blood‑brain barrier is compromised (for example, meningitis or severe HIV). Ivermectin can precipitate Mazzotti‑type reactions in onchocerciasis—fever, rash, lymph node tenderness, eye irritation—due to dying microfilariae; urgent evaluation is warranted for severe symptoms. In Central Africa, concurrent Loa loa infection can trigger serious encephalopathy; patients from endemic regions may need screening. Do not use Stromectol to prevent or treat viral illnesses such as COVID‑19 outside approved trials.
Avoid driving if dizzy or drowsy after dosing, and rise slowly from sitting to reduce lightheadedness or fainting risk.
Contraindications
Do not take Stromectol if you have a known hypersensitivity to ivermectin or any tablet component. Absolute contraindications are limited, but important cautions may functionally preclude use: suspected or confirmed Loa loa co‑infection in patients with onchocerciasis, severe hepatic impairment with decompensation, or a history of serious neurologic reactions to ivermectin. Safety has not been established in children under 15 kg; use is generally avoided unless a specialist determines benefits outweigh risks. If you have active meningitis or other conditions disrupting the blood‑brain barrier, alternative therapies may be preferable. Discuss prior eye disease or onchocercal keratitis with your prescriber first.
Possible side effects
Most people tolerate Stromectol well at recommended doses. Common effects include headache, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and mild sleepiness. With scabies or onchocerciasis, itching, rash, swollen lymph nodes, and joint or muscle aches may reflect immune responses to dying parasites rather than drug allergy. These symptoms usually peak within a few days and improve with supportive care such as oral antihistamines, cool compresses, hydration, and rest. Mild, transient changes in liver enzymes can occur.
Seek urgent care for signs of a serious reaction: facial or tongue swelling, difficulty breathing, severe dizziness, confusion, new weakness, loss of coordination, vision changes, chest pain, or fainting. Rare but reported events include severe skin reactions (Stevens–Johnson syndrome), hepatitis, seizures, hypotension, and encephalopathy in patients with heavy Loa loa microfilaremia. Ocular symptoms such as eye pain, redness, or decreased vision require prompt evaluation to distinguish onchocerciasis‑related inflammation from medication effects. Report persistent or severe adverse events to your prescriber and, in the U.S., via FDA MedWatch.
If side effects limit daily activities, ask about dose timing strategies, adjunctive antipruritics, or work modifications to reduce discomfort during the first days after treatment.
Drug interactions
Ivermectin is a substrate of CYP3A4 and P‑glycoprotein. Strong inhibitors—such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, ketoconazole, itraconazole, cyclosporine, amiodarone, verapamil, diltiazem, and certain HIV protease inhibitors—may raise ivermectin levels and side‑effect risk. Grapefruit or grapefruit juice can have a similar effect and is best avoided around dosing. Inducers (for example, rifampin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, St. John’s wort) may reduce exposure and efficacy. Tell your prescriber about all prescription, OTC, and herbal products, including recent changes.
Use caution with warfarin; increased INR and bleeding have been reported. Sedatives and alcohol may intensify dizziness or drowsiness. Concomitant use with other agents that penetrate the central nervous system or inhibit P‑glycoprotein at the blood‑brain barrier (for instance, chloroquine, quinidine, or loperamide at high doses) could increase neurotoxicity risk. Avoid combining with diethylcarbamazine in onchocerciasis unless a specialist directs care. Space dosing away from fatty meals if instructed to limit peak exposure.
Bring an up‑to‑date medication list to every visit and pharmacy fill; interaction screening software works best when your care team sees the complete picture clearly.
Missed dose
Stromectol is often given as a single, scheduled dose. If you miss it, take it as soon as you remember on an empty stomach, unless it is almost time for a planned repeat dose. Do not double up to make up for a missed dose. Contact your prescriber for individualized timing if uncertainty remains. Set reminders to support adherence too.
Overdose
Overdose may cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, drooling, dizziness, blurred vision, confusion, ataxia, low blood pressure, seizures, or coma. There is no specific antidote; treatment is supportive with airway protection, intravenous fluids, and symptom management. If you or someone else may have taken too much, call your local emergency number and Poison Control (U.S. 1‑800‑222‑1222) immediately and do not drive yourself to care. Bring the bottle or packaging if available.
Storage
Store Stromectol tablets at room temperature (68–77°F or 20–25°C) in a dry place, away from excessive heat, moisture, and light. Keep tablets in the original packaging until use to protect from humidity. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep out of reach of children and pets, and dispose of expired medicine responsibly. Use community take‑back programs when available nearby pharmacies.
U.S. Sale and Prescription Policy
In the United States, Stromectol (ivermectin) is a prescription medication. Federal and state laws require pharmacist dispensing only after authorization by a licensed clinician, except where specific, regulated protocols permit pharmacist‑initiated therapy. Responsible access protects patient safety through proper diagnosis, dose selection, and interaction screening.
HealthSouth Hospital of Altamonte Springs offers a legal and structured solution for acquiring Stromectol without a formal paper prescription by coordinating compliant clinician review. Your request is routed to licensed providers for telehealth evaluation where permitted; if treatment is appropriate, the prescriber issues the necessary authorization directly to the pharmacy. This model keeps care within U.S. regulations while improving convenience, privacy, and continuity.
Availability varies by state; verification, medical questionnaires, and, when needed, laboratory testing help ensure safe dispensing. HealthSouth Hospital of Altamonte Springs does not sell ivermectin for unapproved uses and will not bypass clinical safeguards. Transparent pricing, discreet shipping, and pharmacist counseling are included. For eligible adults, this pathway may reduce delays versus appointments, but it never replaces personalized medical advice.
