Stromectol

The active ingredient in Stromectol is ivermectin. Stromectol is an anti-parasitic drug. Stromectol damages parasites' nerve and muscle cells, killing or paralyzing them.

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and read all documents provided, including the full Prescribing Information, FDA-Approved Product Labeling, Instructions for Use, and Medication Guide before using Stromectol. However, the following is a synopsis of the general guidelines for the use of Stromectol:

• Stromectol should be taken on an empty stomach with water unless otherwise prescribed by your doctor. This medication's effectiveness may be affected if taken with food.
• If you are using Stromectol to treat strongyloidiasis, your doctor will require you to give repeated stool samples following therapy. This allows them to determine whether your infection is fully gone.
• If you use Stromectol to treat river blindness, you may need to take a dose every 3 to 12 months. This is because Stromectol only kills the young worms that cause river blindness, not the adults. As a result, you may need to continue this medication until all adult worms have died.
• People taking Stromectol to treat river blindness may develop a severe allergic reaction known as the Mazzotti reaction. Tell your doctor if you develop a rash, dizziness, swelling, raised skin, pus-filled pimples, joint discomfort, or swollen and sensitive lymph nodes.
• If you have a weakened immune system or are using immune-lowering drugs, you may need to take Stromectol in many rounds to cure strongyloidiasis. In some situations, you may need to take this medication regularly (for example, biweekly or monthly) to avoid future infections.

The most common side effects of Stromectol seen in clinical trials include:

• Itching.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Dizziness.
• Diarrhea.
• Joint pain.
• Fevers.
• Swollen lymph nodes.
• Skin swelling or skin rash.
• Abdominal pain.
• Constipation.
• Back pain.
• Orthostatic hypotension.

Some individuals may experience serious side effects while using Stromectol. These side effects may require immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the following adverse reactions, contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency medical help:

• Severe allergic reactions (Mazzotti reactions) - rash, hives, swelling, elevated skin, and pus-filled lumps.
• Brain or nervous system problems - lethargy, disorientation, coma, loss of attention to persons and surroundings, and fainting.

These are not all of the possible side effects of Stromectol. You should always seek medical advice from your healthcare provider for any questions or concerns about your medical condition or treatment. Read all patient information, medication guides, or drug information sheets that come with this medication. You can also report adverse effects to the Food and Drug Administration at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before starting Stromectol, it is crucial to discuss any existing health conditions with your healthcare provider. You should be sure that your healthcare provider is aware of all your medical conditions, including if you have:

• Kidney or liver illness.
• Cancer, HIV/AIDS, or other illnesses that can impair your immune system.
• It is unclear whether Stromectol will harm an unborn fetus. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or want to become pregnant while taking this medicine.
• Ivermectin can enter into breast milk and endanger a nursing infant. Inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding a child.
• Stromectol should not be administered to a youngster weighing less than 33 pounds (15 kilograms).
• Drinking alcohol can worsen side effects if consumed.
• Rarely, patients with onchocerciasis who are also heavily infected with Loa loa may develop a serious or even fatal brain disorder.
• Additional treatment with ivermectin may be needed for people with a weak immune system being treated for intestinal strongyloidiasis.
• In general, treatment of an elderly patient should be cautious, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and concomitant disease or other drug therapy.

Stromectol should not be used if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Other than this one contraindication, speak to your healthcare provider about other contraindications.

Stromectol is primarily used to treat strongyloidiasis and should be taken for 1 to 2 days. However, if you have river blindness, you may require multiple cycles of Stromectol to completely clear the infection. Please follow up with your care team after the initial treatment to see whether you need to take Stromectol again.

When Stromectol is taken with other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, it may change how they work or increase the frequency or severity of side effects. Make sure that you tell your healthcare professional about anything that you are taking to avoid any negative drug interactions, including:

• Warfarin (blood thinners).

Typical dosage for Stromectol:

Your healthcare professional (HCP) will prescribe Stromectol based on your body weight. Each tablet is said to be a 3mg tablet.

Strongyloidiasis (those weighing 15 kg or more): The normal dose is 200 mcg/kg of weight by mouth in one dose only. Depending on your condition, your healthcare provider may advise you to take this prescription for 1 to 2 days.

Onchocerciasis (those weighing 15 kg or more): The normal dose is 150 mcg/kg of weight orally for one dose only. The dose is normally repeated once a year, although it can be done every three months if necessary.

If you miss a dose of ivermectin, take the missed dose as soon as you remember if you are on a schedule. If your next planned dose is almost here, skip the missed one. Never take more medication to make up for a missed dosage.

In addition to an oral tablet, Stromectol is also available in other dosage forms, including a topical cream and lotion.

Store your Stromectol at room temperature and keep out of reach of children.

Merck Sharp & Dohme is the pharmaceutical company that manufactures Stromectol.

There are multiple lower-cost generic versions of Stromectol available with the generic name of ivermectin.

There is no specific way to stop taking Stromectol. However, if you are wanting to stop the medication, it is important that you speak to your healthcare provider about it.

The manufacturer believes ivermectin to be contraindicated during pregnancy. Two cases of using ivermectin during pregnancy have been documented. According to these reports, the risk of fetal harm in pregnant women treated with ivermectin was no larger than that of the control group. Talk to your doctor if you are already pregnant or if you have any plans to become pregnant. They will know or recommend what is best for you.

Ivermectin is excreted at modest levels in human milk. However, the possible effects of ivermectin on the child are not known. Breastfeeding should only be done if the danger of delayed treatment to the mother outweighs the potential harm to the newborn.