Stromectol
In stock
3mg · 6mg · 12mg
from 33,47 £
In brief
- Stromectol (ivermectin) is a prescription-only medicine (POM) for human use in the UK.
- It is used to treat certain parasitic infections, especially strongyloidiasis and onchocerciasis; it works by binding to parasite nerve and muscle channels, causing paralysis and death of the parasite.
- The usual oral dose depends on the condition and body weight: for strongyloidiasis, 200 micrograms/kg as a single dose; for onchocerciasis, 150 micrograms/kg as a single dose, sometimes repeated after 6–12 months if needed.
- The form of administration is an oral tablet (3 mg); topical ivermectin products exist for other indications, but Stromectol refers to the tablet form.
- It usually starts working within a few hours, although symptom improvement may take several days as the infection clears.
- The duration of action is usually sufficient for a single-dose regimen, but some infections may require a repeat dose after 7–14 days or several months later, depending on the condition.
- Do not drink alcohol excessively while taking Stromectol, as it may worsen dizziness, drowsiness or stomach upset.
- The most common side effects are nausea, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, itching and rash.
- Would you like to try Stromectol without a prescription?
Basic Stromectol information
- INN (international nonproprietary name): Ivermectin
- Brand names available in the United Kingdom: Stromectol (tablets)
- ATC code: P02CF01
- Forms and dosages: oral tablets 3 mg
- Manufacturers in the United Kingdom: Merck (MSD)
- Registration status in the United Kingdom: Prescription-only medicine (POM) for human use
- OTC / Rx classification: Prescription-only medicine (POM)
Legal status and availability in the UK
Stromectol (ivermectin) is a prescription-only medicine (POM) for human use in the UK, supplied by a registered pharmacy against a prescription once the diagnosis is confirmed.
In our online pharmacy, Stromectol is available without a prescription, with discreet delivery to the United Kingdom in 9–21 days.
Brand names and packaging
| Product name | Typical packaging |
|---|---|
| Stromectol | Tablets, 3 mg |
| Soolantra | Topical cream for rosacea |
Packaging alone should never be used to guess the dose, so always check the strength on the label.
How to read the box and blister pack
Check the strength first, because tablets of different strengths are not interchangeable without calculating the dose.
Then check the batch number and expiry date, and make sure the patient leaflet is in a language you can follow.
If the pack looks unfamiliar, ask the pharmacist to check the product details.
What Stromectol is used for
- Strongyloidiasis treatment
- Oral treatment of this parasitic infection, by prescription.
- Onchocerciasis
- Also known as river blindness, with oral treatment given under medical supervision.
- Scabies
- Oral use may be seen off-label in some cases, although topical options are often used for these conditions.
- Topical ivermectin products
- These have different indications, such as rosacea with Soolantra cream.
When people ask about strongyloidiasis treatment or river blindness, they are usually asking about a genuine parasitic infection, not a cosmetic or skin-care product.
That is why the prescriber’s diagnosis matters so much, and why the same active ingredient can be used differently depending on the infection and the patient’s age.
When a doctor may choose ivermectin over another anthelmintic
Choice depends on the parasite involved, other medical conditions, and the local resistance pattern.
Sometimes ivermectin is preferred because the infection fits its spectrum of activity, while in other cases another anthelmintic such as albendazole or mebendazole is better suited.
How Stromectol works in the body
The medicine belongs to the macrocyclic lactone class, and its ATC code is P02CF01.
It acts as an anthelmintic medicine by targeting parasite nerve and muscle function.
The result is that the parasite can no longer function normally, which helps the body clear the infection.
That simple mechanism of action is why getting the correct diagnosis is so important.
If the wrong organism is being treated, the medicine may not help, even if the dose is correct.
Why this matters for treatment success
Patients often expect any parasite tablet to work for any worm or skin infestation, but that is not how ivermectin tablets behave in real practice.
Correct organism, correct weight-based dose, and correct repeat interval all matter if the treatment is going to work properly.
Dosing by condition
| Condition | Adult dose | Paediatric dose | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Onchocerciasis | Single oral dose: 150 mcg/kg | ≥15 kg: same as adult; under 15 kg not approved | Repeat every 6–12 months as needed |
| Strongyloidiasis | Single oral dose: 200 mcg/kg | ≥15 kg: same as adult | Often one dose only |
| Scabies | 200 mcg/kg, sometimes repeated after 7–14 days | Not specified | 1–2 doses |
Stromectol is supplied as 3 mg tablets, which is useful when calculating a weight-based dosing regimen.
For onchocerciasis, the usual adult dose is a single oral dose of 150 micrograms per kilogram, with repeat treatment every six to twelve months if needed.
For strongyloidiasis, the usual adult dose is 200 micrograms per kilogram, and this is often given as a single dose.
For scabies, oral use is sometimes repeated after 7 to 14 days, although the exact plan depends on the prescriber and the indication.
How weight-based dosing is calculated
Weight matters because the dose is calculated in micrograms per kilogram, not by a one-size-fits-all tablet count.
The prescriber works out the patient’s body weight, matches that with the tablet strength, and writes the exact schedule for that individual.
That is one reason why patients should not guess from charts or from someone else’s prescription.
Topical products versus oral tablets
Topical 1% cream (Soolantra) is a separate product from Stromectol tablets.
The cream is not a direct substitute for oral therapy, and it is used in a different clinical situation, rosacea.
Who should and should not take Stromectol
| Group | Advice |
|---|---|
| Absolute contraindications | Hypersensitivity to ivermectin or excipients, children under 15 kg for oral use, pregnancy generally avoided |
| Relative precautions | Severe liver dysfunction, Loa loa co-infection, breastfeeding, immunocompromised status |
| Older adults | No specific dose adjustment, but monitor renal and hepatic function |
One of the most important contraindications is the under-15 kg boundary for oral treatment in children.
Another is known hypersensitivity to ivermectin or the tablet ingredients.
Pregnancy is generally avoided because the risk is not established, so a prescriber needs a clear reason before using it.
Why pharmacists ask about travel history
Travel history matters because co-infection with Loa loa can increase the risk of serious neurological events.
That is why a pharmacist may ask where a patient has been, especially if the infection may have been acquired outside the UK.
It is a routine safety check, not a nuisance question.
Common side effects
| System | Typical side effects |
|---|---|
| Gastrointestinal | Nausea, diarrhoea, abdominal pain |
| CNS | Dizziness, drowsiness, headache |
| Skin / allergy | Itching, rash, swelling |
| Eyes | Redness, pain, especially in onchocerciasis |
| Other | Muscle pain, fever, mild tachycardia |
The most commonly reported ivermectin side effects are nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, and headache.
Some people also notice itching or a rash, especially if the parasite is dying off and the body is reacting to that process.
Eye redness or pain may happen in onchocerciasis, which is why the infection itself and the medicine reaction can overlap.
What is likely medicine-related versus disease-related
A temporary flare of itching, rash, or fever can be related to parasite die-off rather than a true allergy to the medicine.
That does not make the symptom unimportant, but it does mean the pharmacist or prescriber needs the full picture before deciding what is happening.
Serious warnings, overdose, and when urgent help is needed
Urgent warning: If a patient has taken too much ivermectin, or develops severe symptoms after a dose, seek immediate medical attention.
Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, convulsions, and breathing problems.
There is no specific antidote, so treatment is supportive and must be started promptly.
Signs that need urgent help include confusion, severe weakness, breathing problems, seizures, or collapse.
These are not symptoms to “watch and wait” on, especially after a dose taken without proper advice.
Red-flag symptoms after a dose
Confusion, seizure, collapse, and shortness of breath should be treated as medical emergencies.
Severe weakness or worsening drowsiness also needs prompt assessment, particularly if the patient has liver disease or other risk factors.
How to take Stromectol correctly
- Take the tablets exactly as prescribed.
- Do not double the dose if one is missed.
- If a dose is forgotten, take it as soon as remembered unless it is nearly time for the next one.
- For some off-label uses, the course may be repeated after 7 to 14 days.
- Keep the tablets at room temperature, away from light and moisture.
Storage should be at 15 to 30°C, with tablets kept dry.
Missed-dose advice is simple: take it when remembered, unless the next scheduled dose is close, and never take two doses together to make up for it.
Patients should also check whether food instructions apply, because a pharmacist can confirm whether the medicine should be taken with or without food in the specific regimen supplied.
Checks before leaving the pharmacy
Always check the tablet strength, the number of tablets supplied, and the dosing schedule before leaving the pharmacy.
If the prescription looks unclear, ask for clarification rather than trying to work it out at home.
Children, older adults, and special groups
| Group | Key point |
|---|---|
| Children | Oral use only for body weight of 15 kg or more |
| Older adults | No specific adjustment, but monitor renal and hepatic function |
| Hepatic or renal impairment | Use with caution and monitor for toxicity |
For ivermectin for children, the under-15 kg threshold is a hard boundary for oral use.
There is no routine elderly dose change, but older patients may need closer monitoring because liver and kidney function can affect how medicines are handled.
In hepatic or renal impairment, caution is sensible because formal adjustment data are limited.
Why under 15 kg is a hard stop for oral use
The approval boundary exists to keep children safe, and it should not be assumed that a smaller child can simply take a reduced adult dose.
Any off-label exception would need a specialist prescriber, not a casual adjustment at home.
Stromectol versus alternatives
| Option | Typical use | How it compares |
|---|---|---|
| Albendazole | Other worm infections | Different spectrum of activity |
| Mebendazole | Other worm infections | Common alternative anthelmintic |
| Permethrin | Scabies and lice | Topical treatment, not the same as oral Stromectol |
| Generic ivermectin | Same active ingredient | May differ by manufacturer or packaging |
People often ask for an ivermectin alternative, but the answer depends on what parasite is being treated.
Albendazole and mebendazole are more relevant to other worm infections.
Permethrin is used for scabies and lice in topical form, which is a different route and a different treatment plan from oral Stromectol.
When the alternative is not interchangeable
Different parasites, different formulations, and different licence status mean that one medicine cannot simply be swapped for another without checking the indication.
That is why substitution should always be handled by a prescriber or pharmacist who can verify the exact condition and formulation.
Delivery across the United Kingdom
| City | Region | Delivery time |
|---|---|---|
| London | England | 9–21 days |
| Birmingham | England | 9–21 days |
| Manchester | England | 9–21 days |
| Liverpool | England | 9–21 days |
| Leeds | England | 9–21 days |
| Glasgow | Scotland | 9–21 days |
| Edinburgh | Scotland | 9–21 days |
| Cardiff | Wales | 9–21 days |
| Belfast | Northern Ireland | 9–21 days |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | England | 9–21 days |
| Nottingham | England | 9–21 days |
| Sheffield | England | 9–21 days |
| Leicester | England | 9–21 days |
| Aberdeen | Scotland | 9–21 days |
Stromectol should always be supplied with proper counselling, because the difference between a good outcome and a poor one is often down to the right diagnosis, the right dose, and the right route.
