ivermectin
Brand names: Stromectol
Ivermectin is a medicine used to treat infections caused by certain parasitic worms. It works by paralyzing and killing these worms.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Brand Price
$4.43/unit
Generic Price
$1.28/unit
Generic Savings
71%
Generic Available
Yes (8 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Ivermectin treats strongyloidiasis, an infection in your intestines caused by a roundworm parasite.
Common side effects
Itching, Skin rash, Fever
Key warnings
Ivermectin can cause Mazzotti reactions in people being treated for onchocerciasis.
How It Works
Ivermectin belongs to a class of drugs called anthelmintics. It works by binding to certain nerve and muscle cells of the parasite. This binding paralyzes the parasite, which leads to its death and removal from the body.
How to Take It
Take ivermectin tablets on an empty stomach with water. For strongyloidiasis, you usually only need one dose. For onchocerciasis, you may need repeat doses every 3 to 12 months. Your doctor will determine the right dose and schedule for you based on your weight and the infection being treated.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
It is not known if ivermectin can harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is also not known if ivermectin passes into breast milk, so talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store ivermectin tablets at room temperature, below 86°F (30°C).
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 4,504 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 5,936 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
5,936
Death-Related Reports
540
Hospitalization Reports
2,144
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 728 |
| 2 | HEADACHE | 634 |
| 3 | ASTHENIA | 588 |
| 4 | PYREXIA | 484 |
| 5 | OFF LABEL USE | 463 |
| 6 | PRODUCT USE IN UNAPPROVED INDICATION | 445 |
| 7 | PRURITUS | 374 |
| 8 | DIARRHOEA | 286 |
| 9 | OCULAR HYPERAEMIA | 255 |
| 10 | COMA | 246 |
| 11 | CONJUNCTIVAL HAEMORRHAGE | 238 |
| 12 | ERYTHEMA | 237 |
| 13 | BACK PAIN | 225 |
| 14 | VERTIGO | 217 |
| 15 | ARTHRALGIA | 203 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Ivermectin can cause Mazzotti reactions in people being treated for onchocerciasis. These reactions include skin rash, itching, swelling, fever, and lymph node tenderness.
Known Drug Interactions
Drug Interactions Post-marketing reports of increased INR (International Normalized Ratio) have been rarely reported when ivermectin was co-administered with warfarin.
Mechanism: Taking ivermectin with warfarin can increase the blood-thinning effects of the warfarin. This may make you more likely to bleed or bruise easily.
What to do: Your doctor should check your blood clotting levels (INR) more frequently if you are prescribed ivermectin while taking warfarin.
Common Questions
Can I take ivermectin with food?
How often will I need to take ivermectin?
What should I do if I experience side effects?
Can ivermectin be used to prevent COVID-19?
Is ivermectin safe for everyone?
Will ivermectin kill the adult worms causing my infection?
What should I do if I take too much ivermectin?
Can I drive or operate machinery while taking ivermectin?
Does ivermectin interact with other medications?
How will I know if the ivermectin is working?
What are the common side effects of ivermectin?
Does ivermectin interact with other medications?
What drug class is ivermectin?
Is there a generic version of ivermectin?
Is ivermectin safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Antiparasitic
Other drugs grouped near ivermectin — same-class peers and common alternatives.
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Ambisome, Fungizone
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anidulafungin
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atovaquone/proguanil
Malarone
Malarone is a drug used to prevent and treat malaria.
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Medication Guides
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What the FDA Data Shows for ivermectin
The FDA label for ivermectin (sold under brand names such as Stromectol) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Antiparasitic class. Ivermectin treats strongyloidiasis, an infection in your intestines caused by a roundworm parasite. Official labeling lists 6 commonly reported side effects, including Itching, Skin rash, Fever.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 4,504 voluntary reports. The database also lists 1 documented drug interaction derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated minor severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $1.28 versus $4.43 for the brand — a 71% generic savings.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: October 5, 2023
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages