Ivermectin for animal use

Traditional use and history of ivermectin: Ivermectin was discovered in the 1970s by Satoshi Ōmura, a Japanese microbiologist, and William Campbell, an Irish parasitologist. The discovery began with a soil sample from Japan, which contained a bacterium that produced compounds effective against parasitic worms.

Veterinary use: Initially, ivermectin was developed for veterinary use to treat parasitic infections in livestock and pets. It became widely used for controlling nematode and arthropod infections in animals.

Human use: In 1987, ivermectin was approved for human use to treat onchocerciasis (river blindness), a debilitating disease caused by the parasitic worm Onchocerca volvulus. It has since been used to treat other parasitic infections such as lymphatic filariasis, scabies, and strongyloidiasis.

Impact on global health:

Nobel Prize: The profound impact of ivermectin on global health led to the awarding of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine to Ōmura and Campbell in 2015.

Mectizan Donation Program: Ivermectin has been distributed free of charge through the Mectizan Donation Program, significantly reducing the prevalence of river blindness and other parasitic diseases in many developing countries.

Current use around the world

Parasitic infections: Ivermectin remains a cornerstone in the fight against river blindness, particularly in Africa and Latin America. It is also used to treat lymphatic filariasis, another parasitic disease that causes severe swelling and disability. Ivermectin is effective against scabies and strongyloidiasis, improving the quality of life for many people in endemic regions.

COVID-19 controversy: During the COVID-19 pandemic, ivermectin gained attention as a potential treatment. However, scientific studies have shown that it is not effective against COVID-19, and its use for this purpose is not recommended by health authorities.

Despite the lack of evidence, ivermectin has been used in some countries as part of their COVID-19 response, leading to shortages and misuse.

Veterinary use: Ivermectin continues to be widely used in veterinary medicine to control parasitic infections in livestock and pets. It is primarily used as a heartworm preventive in dogs and cats. Additionally, it is employed ‘off label’ or ‘extra label’ to treat a variety of internal and external parasites. In dogs, ivermectin can address mites (such as demodectic mange, scabies, and ear mites), intestinal parasites (including hookworms and roundworms), and capillaria. In cats, it is used to treat ear mites and feline scabies. Ivermectin is available in several forms, including tablets, chewable tablets, a topical liquid for ear mites, and an injectable administered by your veterinarian.

Ivermectin’s journey from a soil sample to a Nobel Prize-winning drug highlights its significant contributions to global health. However, its misuse during the COVID-19 pandemic underscores the importance of relying on scientific evidence for medical treatments.

References discovery-of-ivermectin-mectizan.pdf (acs.org). Ivermectin is a Nobel Prize-winning wonder drug – but not for COVID-19 (theconversation.com). Mass treatment with ivermectin <editorial 3 [Speare].indd (who.int)>. Ivermectin: a systematic review from antiviral effects to COVID-19 complementary regimen (nature.com). Bogus COVID Treatment Ivermectin Use Is Spreading Around the World (vice.com). Ivermectin | Definition, Uses, & Side Effects | Britannica. Ivermectin - Wikipedia. Ivermectin during the COVID-19 pandemic - Wikipedia. Ivermectin: What the evidence says about its effectiveness against Covid-19 (advisory.com). Ivermectin for Dogs and Cats (vcahospitals.com).