Ivermectin has been used as an animal dewormed, but it has other uses that you might not know about. Ivermectin helps with many health conditions, including heart health, seasonal allergies, and even mental health issues like schizophrenia and depression. As you read this article, you will learn more about how ivermectin can help you live a healthier life!

What is ivermectin?

Ivermectin is a drug used to control parasite infections in humans and animals. The exact mechanism of action by which ivermectin kills various parasites remains unknown. Ivermectin works against certain species of end parasites, including nematodes (roundworms) and arthropods (including insects). For example, it is effective against strongyloidiasis, ascariasis (hookworm), trichuriasis (whipworm), enterobiasis or oxyuriasis (pinworm), onchocerciasis (river blindness), and cutaneous larva migrants.

Why you should use it if you have heartworm

Heartworm is a serious, life-threatening infection of your dog's heart and lungs caused by parasitic worms living in their bodies. The worms are passed on to dogs through mosquitos, but it can be prevented by giving ivermectin every month. If you have a dog that is at risk of getting heartworm, there’s no better prevention than ivermectin. By giving them monthly doses of ivermectin you not only protect them from dying an excruciating death due to heartworm, but also help keep fleas and ticks away from them. As well as treating it, heartworm medication will reduce their chances of getting heartworms by over 95%. It’s pretty hard to argue with those odds!

Its effects on horses and dogs

Ivermectin is a broad-spectrum antiparasitic drug used to treat parasitic infections in humans and animals. It is a derivative of avermectin, which was first isolated from Streptomyces avermitilis in Japan by Satoshi Ōmura in 1973. The drug is sold under several trade names, including Stromectol, Mectizan, isomer, and Slice (to treat head lice). Ivermectin has been marketed since 1981. Over 100 countries have approved it. In humans it is used to treat river blindness (onchocerciasis) and strongyloidiasis.

Should all your animals take it?

Not necessarily. Heartworm preventatives work to kill off adult heartworms that are already in your pet’s system. Ivermectin doesn’t provide you with any protection against adult heartworms—it only protects your pets from getting them. So if your dog or cat has tested positive for heartworms, or lives in an area where heartworm infection is common, it’s probably a good idea to get ivermectin. However, if your pet is free of adult heartworms and shows no signs of disease, don’t worry about giving it an unnecessary dosage of ivermectin. Getting too much can have serious side effects on both people and animals—especially dogs!

How much should your pet take?

Ivermectin is one of those great medications that can be used to address a number of different skin disorders. Given its wide range of uses, it’s not unusual for you to wonder how much your pet should take. The answer depends on a number of factors—including whether they are taking other medications or have certain medical conditions—so be sure to consult with your veterinarian before giving them any ivermectin-based product. The dose may need to be adjusted based on their weight and other factors, but here are some general guidelines

How to prevent resistance

Resistance to ivermectin—or other drugs—can develop over time. By continuing to use a drug over an extended period of time, bacteria can mutate and evolve in such a way that they’re able to fend off attacks from that drug. Because ivermectin is used so widely, it’s particularly susceptible to resistance (to put it lightly). To avoid generating resistance, it’s imperative that people be aware of what uses ivermectin can have beyond killing lice and that users follow their doctor's prescriptions. The more cautious you are about using ivermectin properly, the better off you’ll be in terms of both human health and animal heath.

When would it be dangerous?

While ivermectin has become a go-to solution for scabies, roundworm and lice infestations, it's not a good idea to use ivermectin if you have a skin disease. Because it's designed to kill parasites, there are some cases in which it can cause serious reactions when applied directly to your skin. Any kind of infection can be problematic when taking ivermectin, so if you suspect you have an active bacterial or viral illness that isn't being treated by other medication, talk with your doctor before taking ivermectin. Similarly, because ivermectin is known to irritate eyes, it's generally best not to get drops into your eyes without first consulting with your doctor.

Is it safe to give too much?

Ivermectin does not have a high margin of safety in dogs. Therefore, owners should follow their veterinarian’s instructions carefully and not give more than prescribed. Giving too much of an ivermectin product could lead to serious toxicity in dogs. This is why it is so important to consult with your veterinarian before giving any heartworm medication to your dog. In some cases, ivermectin can be given to puppies as young as six weeks old and/or as old as seven months, depending on their size, weight and overall health. It’s important that you talk with your veterinarian about how much ivermectin should be given to your dog based on his age, size and other factors.