Iverscab (Ivermectin 6mg) Tablets

Iverscab general information

What is Iverscab used for?

Iverscab dispersible tablets 6mg are used to treat parasitic infections caused by parasitic worms and ectoparasites.  Strongyloidiasis is an infection caused by the nematode Strongyloides stercoralis an intestinal parasite belonging to the hookworm group of roundworms.  Infection occurs by direct contact with contaminated soil and the larval worms enter the blood stream, migrate to the lungs and are then swallowed.  Once in the host intestine, the larvae mature into adults and produce eggs, which hatch, and the next generation of larvae are excreted in the faeces or migrate to other parts of the body and thereby re-infect the same host.  Symptoms of strongyloidiasis include a rash at the site of larval penetration, usually the feet, gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting); other symptoms include low-grade fever, coughing and wheezing, due to the migration of larvae through the lungs.  Severe infection can be more serious if the parasite spreads throughout the body.  Iverscab tablets 6mg are also used to treat lymphatic filariasis, also known as elephantiasis, caused by the thread-like nematode worm Wuchereria bancrofti carried by mosquitos.  Transmission is by a bite from an infected mosquito, which allows the larvae to enter the blood stream and migrate to the lymph vessels.  They mature into adults, mate and produce and microfilariae, which circulate in the blood ready to infect another mosquito when it bites, and grow into adults to begin the life cycle again.  Symptoms of lymphatic filariasis include lymphoedema or obstruction of the lymphatic system causing swelling in the arms, legs or genitals, which can be painful and disfiguring.  Iverscab tablets 6mg are also used to treat infestation caused by other intestinal nematode parasites including roundworm (ascariasis), whipworm (Trichuriasis)and pinworm (Enterobiasis).

Iverscab tablets 6mg are also used to treat scabies, after prior treatment has failed.  Scabies is a contagious ectoparasitic infection, caused by the parasitic mite Sarcoptes scabiei, which is transmitted by direct skin contact. The scabies mite burrows into the skin causing itching as it burrows, which can be intense and is often worse at night.  Within two to six weeks after infection the mite can cause an allergic reaction with symptoms including a rash, seen as small red bumps on the limbs and trunk, which are usually very itchy; also, nodules in the groin or armpit.  Burrow lines can also be seen at the site of infection, usually between the fingers, on the skin of the hands, feet, wrist, elbows, buttocks and genitals.  If left untreated scabies infection can cause secondary complications like impetigo (infection and inflammation of superficial skin cells) and cellulitis (inflammation of the lower dermal or subcutaneous skin layers). 

Iverscab tablets 6mg work through the same mechanism to kill the parasite causing these infections and thereby treating the infection to relieve symptoms and prevent spread of infection. 

Covid-19

In 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic began, the search for new agents to treat the virus began with the development of a new vaccine being a core objective. Concurrent with this goal was the search to find an effective treatment amongst existing medications already part of a physicians’ treatment arsenal.

Given the urgency of the situation with regard to developing and testing a vaccine, concerns remain around its effectiveness to treat the infection and save lives, its effectiveness against emerging strains of the virus and its short-term and long-term safety profile.

Initial reports that a treatment protocol using hydroxychloroquine and antibiotics appeared promising, but it now appears that ivermectin is both more effective and has a better safety record.

Treatment of Covid-19 is considered an off-label use for Iverscab (Ivermectin) tablets 6mg. Please contact your doctor for advice on treatment with Ivermectin and all Covid-19 related matters.

As a prevention treatment for high risk individuals such as medical staff or those in close contact with Covid-19 patients a dose of ivermectin 0.2mg/kg of body weight is taken on day one, with a second dose in 48 hours followed by a dose every 14 days. 

Please contact us if you need assistance calculating ivermectin dosages for your body weight.

Two Iverscab (Ivermectin) 6mg tablets are suitable for those that weigh 60 Kg (132 pounds).

Two-and-a-half Iverscab (Ivermectin) 6mg tablets are suitable for those that weigh 75 Kg (165 pounds).

Three Iverscab (Ivermectin) 6mg tablets are suitable for those that weigh 90 Kg (198 pounds).

Three-and-a-half  Iverscab (Ivermectin) 6mg tablets are suitable for those that weigh 105 Kg (231 pounds).

Four Iverscab (Ivermectin) 6mg tablets are suitable for those that weigh 120 Kg (264 pounds).

As a prevention treatment for those exposed to Covid-19 the same treatment is given - a dose of ivermectin 0.2mg/kg of body weight is taken on day one, with a second dose in 48 hours.

An outpatient protocol has been developed for those in the early stages of infection. A single daily dose of 0.2mg/Kg for at least two days but no greater than five days is recommended.

Additionally, Vitamin D3 (4000 iu/day), Vitamin C (1000mg twice daily), Zinc (50-100mg daily) are recommended. We recommend that you seek advice from your doctor and further information from the Front Line Covid-19 Critical Care Alliance website for more details if you are in a high risk situation.

How does Iverscab work?

Iverscab dispersible tablets 6mg contains ivermectin, an anthelmintic derived from the avermectins series of drugs that are isolated from fermentation of the soil bacteria Streptomyces avermitilis, that is used to treat a variety of parasitic diseases.  Ivermectin in Iverscab tablets 6mg works by interacting directly and specifically with the nervous system of the parasite but does not affect mammals.  Ivermectin in Iverscab dispersible tablets 6mg binds with high affinity to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate (GluCl) regulated chloride channels in invertebrate nerve and muscle cells, causing paralysis and death of the parasite.  Iverscab tablets 6mg are effective in interrupting the infectious cycle and helping to prevent spread of infection. 

What does Iverscab contain?

Iverscab dispersible tablets 6mg contains the active ingredient ivermectin (6mg), an anthelmintic used to treat a variety of parasitic diseases

Treating Strongyloidiasis with Iverscab

Iverscab dispersible tablets 6mg contains ivermectin, an anthelmintic used to treat strongyloidiasis an infection caused by the intestinal parasitic nematode Strongyloides stercorali.  Infection occurs by direct contact with contaminated soil and the larval worms enter the blood stream, migrate to the lungs and are then swallowed.  Once in the host intestine, the larvae mature into adults and produce eggs, which hatch, and the next generation of larvae are excreted in the faeces or migrate to other parts of the body and thereby reinfect the same host.  Symptoms of strongyloidiasis include a rash at the site of larval penetration, usually the feet, gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting); other symptoms include low-grade fever, coughing and wheezing, due to the migration of larvae through the lungs.  Severe infection can be more serious if the parasite spreads throughout the body.  Ivermectin in Iverscab tablets 6mg works by interacting directly and specifically with the nervous system of the parasite but does not affect mammals.  Ivermectin binds with high affinity to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate (GluCl) regulated chloride channels in invertebrate nerve and muscle cells, causing paralysis and death of the parasite.  Iverscab tablets 6mg are effective in interrupting the infectious cycle and helping to prevent spread of infection.

Treating lymphatic filariasis with Iverscab

Iverscab dispersible tablets 6mg contains ivermectin, an anthelmintic used to treat lymphatic filariasis, also known as elephantiasis, caused by the thread-like nematode worm Wuchereria bancrofti carried by mosquitos.  Transmission is by a bite from and infected mosquito when the larvae enter the blood stream and migrate to the lymph vessels.  They mature into adults, mate and produce microfilariae which circulate in the blood ready to infect when another mosquito bites, then grow into adults and begin the life cycle again.  Symptoms of lymphatic filariasis include lymphoedema or obstruction of the lymphatic system causing swelling in the arms, legs or genitals, which can be painful and disfiguring.  Ivermectin in Iverscab tablets 6mg works by interacting directly and specifically with the nervous system of the parasite but does not affect mammals.  Ivermectin binds with high affinity to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate (GluCl) regulated chloride channels in invertebrate nerve and muscle cells, causing paralysis and death of the parasite.  Iverscab tablets 6mg are effective in interrupting the infectious cycle and helping to prevent spread of infection.

Treating scabies with Iverscab

Iverscab dispersible tablets 6mg contains ivermectin, an anthelmintic used to treat scabies, caused by the parasitic mite Sarcoptes scabiei. which is transmitted by direct skin contact. The scabies mite burrows into the skin causing itching as it burrows which can be intense and is often worse at night.  Within two to six weeks after infection the mite can cause an allergic reaction with symptoms including a rash, seen as small red bumps on the limbs and trunk, which are usually very itchy; also nodules in the groin or armpit.  Burrow lines can also be seen at the site of infection, usually between the fingers, on the skin of the hands, feet, wrist, elbows, buttocks and genitals.  If left untreated scabies infection can cause secondary complications like impetigo (infection and inflammation of superficial skin cells) and cellulitis (inflammation of the lower dermal or subcutaneous skin layers).  Ivermectin in Iverscab tablets 6mg works by interacting directly and specifically with the nervous system of the parasite but does not affect mammals.   Ivermectin binds with high affinity to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate (GluCl) regulated chloride channels in invertebrate nerve and muscle cells, causing paralysis and death of the parasite.  Iverscab tablets 6mg are effective in interrupting the infectious cycle and helping to prevent spread of infection.

What are the side effects of Iverscab?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Iverscab dispersible tablets 6mg include transient tachycardia (fast heart rate), flushing, nausea, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, itching skin rash, asthenia (weakness), lightheadedness, dizziness, somnolence, vertigo, tremor.

When should Iverscab not be used?

You should not use Iverscab dispersible tablets 6mg if you:

• are allergic to ivermectin or any ingredients in Iverscab
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• want to prevent infection with filarial worms as it is not used for prophylaxis
• have another infection with other microfilarial worms such as loa loa as this increase risk of side effects
• have asthma
• are taking medicines that interact with Iverscab including diethylcarbamazine citrate a rapid action drug for microfilarial infections, warfarin

What medications interact with Iverscab?

Several medications interact with Iverscab dispersible tablets 6mg and should either not be taken while you are taking Iverscab or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Iverscab: diethylcarbamazine citrate a rapid action drug for microfilarial infections can cause cutaneous, systemic reactions or ophthalmological reactions; warfarin as ivermectin may have a mild anticoagulant effect and therefore, this increases risk of bleeding.

How should Iverscab be taken?

You should take your Iverscab tablets 6mg dispersed in a small amount of water (approximately one teaspoon) and then swallowed in one dose.  You should take your Iverscab tablets 6mg on an empty stomach, either 2 hours before or 2 hours after eating.  The dose you take and how often depends on what you are being treated for, your body weight (200 micrograms per kilogram body weight) and your doctor’s recommendation.  For strongyloidiasis and scabies a single dose is recommended.  If the scabies infection does not clear up, another dose can be given after 2 weeks. For lymphatic filariasis a single dose is recommended and repeated every 6 or 12 months.  

How long should you take Iverscab?

You should take your Iverscab dispersible tablets 6mg according to your doctor’s recommendation, which is a single oral dose that may be repeated after 6 -12 months or after 2 weeks, depending on what you are being treated for.

How should Iverscab be stored?

You should store your Iverscab dispersible tablets 6mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.