Ivermectin in Human Medicine, An Overview of the Current Status of Its Clinical Applications
2012
Ivermectin is a broad spectrum antiparasitic veterinary drug introduced in human medicine in 1987. It is considered
the drug of choice in onchocerciasis and strongyloidiasis infections, and remains as a therapeutic option for mass
treatment in lymphatic filariasis, for which it has widely proved its efficacy. While research continued for human use, new
therapeutic targets for ivermectin have emerged. It is currently the better therapeutic option in the treatment of gnathostomiasis
and crusted scabies, and could be an alternative option in ascariasis and Mansonella infections. Although
these uses are already included in clinical guidelines, more trials are needed to increase their grade of evidence and to obtain
their official approval. Concerning other minor uses such as the treatment of enterobiasis or against Trichuris trichiura,
more research is still needed in order to test the real activity of ivermectin. The use of ivermectin in human medicine
has shown an outstanding low rate of adverse reactions, with the exception of treatment of loiasis and onchocerciasis,
where the death of a high microfilarial load may cause severe encephalopathy. However special attention must be paid to
the emergence of the first documented cases of resistance in treatment of scabies.
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