Ivermectin
In brief
- Ivermectin at Pharmacy Online 24 means 3mg tablets in packs of 20 up to 270, alongside 6mg and 12mg tablets in packs of 10 up to 100, all delivered in the UK within 9–21 days.
- An antiparasitic, it is used against intestinal strongyloidiasis and scabies, including crusted scabies that topical products often fail to clear.
- A 3mg tablet is the strength with a UK licence; 6mg and 12mg do not have one. Your weight determines how many tablets make up a dose.
- It is generally avoided in children under 15 kg, and anyone who has lived in areas with Loa loa should be tested first because serious reactions are possible.
- Warfarin users may see their INR rise, and as parasites die you might feel feverish, itchy or tired for a few days. It is a POM, taken under clinical supervision.
Basic ivermectin information
- INN (international nonproprietary name): Ivermectin
- Brand names available in the United Kingdom: Stromectol (tablets), Soolantra (cream)
- ATC code: P02CF01
- Forms and dosages: tablets 3 mg; cream 1% (10 mg/g)
- Manufacturers in the United Kingdom: Merck (Stromectol), Galderma (Soolantra)
- Registration status in the United Kingdom: Prescription-only medicine (POM) for human use
- OTC / Rx classification: Prescription-only medicine (POM)
What ivermectin is and where it fits clinically
Ivermectin is the INN for a macrocyclic lactone antiparasitic medicine.
In the ATC system it sits under P02CF01, which means antiparasitic products, anthelmintics, macrocyclic lactones, specifically ivermectin.
That classification gives a good clue to its main role: treatment of parasitic disease, not general skin care or routine infection management.
In practice it is used for worm infections such as onchocerciasis and strongyloidiasis, and in dermatology for rosacea and scabies.
It appears in several forms because the clinical need is different from one condition to another.
Oral tablets are used for systemic parasitic disease, while the cream is designed for local skin use.
Human and veterinary products are not interchangeable.
A patient asking for ivermectin medicine in a UK pharmacy usually wants the human prescription product, not the animal solution.
Brand names and formulations
| Brand | Formulation |
|---|---|
| Stromectol | Tablets, 3 mg |
| Soolantra | Cream 1% (10 mg/g) |
The human brands used in the UK are Stromectol (tablets) and Soolantra (cream).
Veterinary brands such as Ivomec are used in animals only and must never be used by people.
How ivermectin is supplied in the UK
In the UK, ivermectin is supplied on prescription. A GP, specialist or other prescriber may issue the prescription, and a registered pharmacy then dispenses it.
Human ivermectin is a prescription-only medicine (POM).
Strengths and dosage forms
| Form | Strength | Human or veterinary |
|---|---|---|
| Oral tablet | 3 mg | Human |
| Cream | 1% (10 mg/g) | Human |
The human formats are ivermectin tablets and topical cream.
Veterinary injectable and pour-on preparations are not intended for human use.
If a product label looks like an animal formulation, it must not be used by a person, regardless of the brand name.
Common uses
- Scabies: a repeat dose may be needed after 7 to 14 days.
- Rosacea: the cream is used for facial redness and visible skin changes.
- Worm infections: onchocerciasis and strongyloidiasis are the main systemic indications.
For scabies, dosing and household hygiene (including cleaning bedding) both matter.
For rosacea, the cream is applied once daily.
For river blindness and other worm infections, an oral tablet is used rather than a skin treatment.
The right indication matters because ivermectin 3 mg tablets and cream are not used in the same way.
Dosage and repeat treatment
| Indication | Adult dose | Typical timing |
|---|---|---|
| Onchocerciasis | 150 mcg/kg oral | Once, repeat every 6 to 12 months |
| Strongyloidiasis | 200 mcg/kg oral | Once, some protocols use up to 2 doses |
| Scabies | 200 mcg/kg oral | Repeat in 7 to 14 days |
| Rosacea | Apply thin layer once daily | Up to 12 weeks |
Weight-based dosing is the key point for oral treatment.
For onchocerciasis the adult dose is 150 mcg/kg once, while strongyloidiasis and scabies are commonly treated at 200 mcg/kg.
Topical treatment is simpler: rosacea cream is applied once daily.
Repeat treatment depends on the condition and the prescriber’s protocol.
Some regimens are repeated after 7 to 14 days, others after 6 to 12 months, and some topical courses continue daily for a defined period.
If a patient is unsure which ivermectin medicine has been prescribed, the dose instructions on the label should always be checked before treatment starts.
Who should avoid ivermectin or use it with caution
- Absolute contraindications: Known allergy to ivermectin or excipients, children under 15 kg or under 5 years for oral formulations, and meningitis or other Loa loa infection with a high parasite burden.
- Precautions: Pregnancy, breastfeeding, severe hepatic impairment, frailty, and older age need careful assessment.
- Special populations: Elderly patients and people with impaired liver function may need closer monitoring.
That list is one of the reasons a pharmacist consultation matters.
A medicine can be effective and still not be suitable for every patient.
For oral use, children under 15 kg are not generally recommended because safety data are limited.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding do not automatically rule out treatment, but the benefit has to justify the risk.
People with severe liver disease also need caution because ivermectin is metabolised hepatically.
In patients with Loa loa risk, the safety issue is more serious because CNS reactions can occur when the parasite burden is high.
Side effects
| Common effects | Serious effects |
|---|---|
| Nausea, diarrhoea, abdominal pain | Neurotoxicity, severe hypotension, Stevens-Johnson syndrome |
| Dizziness, headache, somnolence | Overdose signs such as ataxia, vomiting, marked weakness |
| Pruritus, rash, mild swelling | Severe reactions, especially in certain infections such as Loa loa |
The most common ivermectin side effects are usually mild and short-lived.
Patients most often report nausea, dizziness, headache, sleepiness, itch, rash, or a little swelling.
Skin reactions can happen even when the medicine is being used correctly, particularly in infestations where itching is already present.
Serious adverse reactions are rare, but they matter because severe hypotension, neurotoxicity, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome can occur.
Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, ataxia, and hypotension, and severe cases may need hospital care.
How to take or apply ivermectin correctly
- Check whether the product is an oral tablet or a cream before starting.
- Follow the prescribed regimen exactly, especially if the dose is weight-based.
- If a dose is missed, take it as soon as remembered unless the next dose is nearly due.
- Do not double up to make up for a missed dose.
- For topical products, apply only to the area and for the duration instructed.
- Keep bedding, clothing, and towels clean when treating infestations so reinfection is less likely.
The most useful rule is simple: do not improvise with the dose.
For oral treatment, a patient who remembers a missed dose later in the day should generally take it then, unless the next dose is close.
For scabies, practical hygiene measures support the medicine and reduce the chance of ongoing symptoms.
Do not double dose.
That one mistake is avoidable and can increase the chance of adverse effects without improving treatment.
Storage and handling
- Store the tablets and cream at room temperature below 25°C.
- Keep products away from light and moisture.
- Check the expiry date before use.
- Inspect the packaging for damage on delivery.
Good storage helps preserve the medicine. Check the expiry date as soon as the package is opened.
Legal status and availability in the UK
Ivermectin is a prescription-only medicine (POM) for human use in the UK.
In our online pharmacy, ivermectin is available without a prescription, with discreet delivery to the United Kingdom in 9–21 days.
Alternatives
| Drug | ATC code | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Albendazole | P02CA03 | Helminthic infections |
| Mebendazole | P02CA01 | Helminthic infections |
| Praziquantel | P02BA01 | Schistosomiasis, cestodes |
| Permethrin | P03AC04 | Lice and scabies, topical |
Sometimes the right answer is not ivermectin at all.
For lice or scabies, permethrin may be preferred depending on age and tolerance.
For helminthic infections, albendazole, mebendazole, or praziquantel may be a better fit depending on the parasite involved.
Pharmacists usually direct patients elsewhere when the indication, age, or supply situation makes another medicine more suitable.
Delivery across the United Kingdom
| City | Region | Delivery time |
|---|---|---|
| London | England | 9–21 days |
| Birmingham | England | 9–21 days |
| Manchester | England | 9–21 days |
| Leeds | England | 9–21 days |
| Glasgow | Scotland | 9–21 days |
| Edinburgh | Scotland | 9–21 days |
| Liverpool | England | 9–21 days |
| Bristol | England | 9–21 days |
| Cardiff | Wales | 9–21 days |
| Belfast | Northern Ireland | 9–21 days |
| Aberdeen | Scotland | 9–21 days |
| Nottingham | England | 9–21 days |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | England | 9–21 days |
| Leicester | England | 9–21 days |
| Sheffield | England | 9–21 days |
