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Updated: January 22, 2026

How to Find a Doctor Who Can Prescribe Ivermectin Near You [2026 Guide]

Author

Peter Daggett

Peter Daggett

Friendly doctor with stethoscope and location pin

Need a prescription for ivermectin? Here's which doctors prescribe it, how to get one in-person or via telehealth, and what to expect at your appointment in 2026.

Ivermectin is a prescription medication in most U.S. states — which means you need a licensed healthcare provider to authorize it before a pharmacy will fill it. The good news: ivermectin can be prescribed by a wide range of providers, and in many cases you don't even need an in-person visit. Here's everything you need to know to get your prescription in 2026.

Who Can Prescribe Ivermectin?

Ivermectin is not a controlled substance, which means it can be prescribed by any licensed prescriber in the United States. There are no DEA special licensing requirements. Providers who commonly prescribe ivermectin include:

  • Primary care physicians (PCPs): Family medicine doctors and internal medicine physicians commonly prescribe ivermectin for scabies, returning travelers with parasitic infections, and other common indications.
  • Dermatologists: Commonly prescribe ivermectin for scabies, as well as topical ivermectin cream (Soolantra) for rosacea and head lice.
  • Infectious disease specialists: The primary specialists for strongyloidiasis, onchocerciasis, and other parasitic infections — especially complex or immunocompromised cases.
  • Travel medicine specialists: Handle returning travelers presenting with parasitic infections acquired abroad.
  • Nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs): In most states, NPs and PAs have full prescribing authority for non-controlled substances including ivermectin.
  • Pediatricians: Prescribe ivermectin for children with scabies weighing at least 15 kg (about 33 lbs). For children below this threshold, consult a specialist.

Can I Get Ivermectin via Telehealth?

Yes — in most states, ivermectin can be prescribed via a telehealth visit. Because it's not a controlled substance, it doesn't carry the in-person visit requirements that Schedule II-IV medications have. Telehealth is particularly convenient for:

  • Scabies (a highly contagious skin condition where telehealth keeps the patient at home)
  • Rosacea (for Soolantra cream prescriptions)
  • Head lice (for children or patients with severe infestations not responding to OTC treatments)

For parasitic infections like strongyloidiasis or onchocerciasis, telehealth is more nuanced. These typically require laboratory confirmation (stool examination or blood test), which may need to be ordered at an in-person facility first. However, follow-up dosing after confirmed diagnosis can often be managed via telehealth.

Telehealth Platforms That Can Prescribe Ivermectin

Several telehealth platforms can evaluate your condition and prescribe ivermectin when clinically appropriate:

  • Teladoc Health: General medicine and dermatology visits available. Can prescribe for scabies and other conditions.
  • MDLive: Urgent care and dermatology telehealth with prescribing capability.
  • Dermatology-specific platforms: Services like Curology, Hello Dermatology, or DermTech specialize in skin conditions and can prescribe ivermectin for rosacea and scabies.
  • Your insurance plan's telehealth: Many insurance plans now include telehealth benefits. Check your insurer's app for virtual visit options.

What to Bring to Your Appointment

Whether in-person or telehealth, being prepared helps you get the right prescription quickly:

  • A description of your symptoms and when they started
  • Any recent travel history, particularly to tropical or subtropical regions
  • Your current weight (ivermectin is dosed by body weight)
  • A list of your current medications (particularly warfarin, blood thinners, or P-glycoprotein-affecting drugs)
  • Whether others in your household are also affected (important for scabies)

Once you have your prescription, read our guide on how to find ivermectin in stock near you to make sure you can fill it quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Any licensed prescriber can prescribe ivermectin since it is not a controlled substance. Primary care physicians (PCPs), family medicine doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants all routinely prescribe it for conditions including scabies, strongyloidiasis, and other parasitic infections.

Yes. Telehealth platforms like Teladoc, MDLive, and dermatology-specific services can evaluate your condition and prescribe ivermectin when clinically appropriate. This works well for scabies, rosacea, and head lice. For parasitic infections requiring lab confirmation (strongyloidiasis, onchocerciasis), you may need bloodwork or stool tests ordered first, but follow-up prescriptions are often manageable via telehealth.

Not usually. A primary care physician or nurse practitioner can prescribe ivermectin for most common indications including scabies and returning travelers with strongyloidiasis. Infectious disease specialists are recommended for complex or immunocompromised patients with disseminated strongyloidiasis, onchocerciasis, or other complicated parasitic infections.

In most U.S. states, ivermectin tablets still require a prescription. However, as of 2025, four states — Tennessee, Arkansas, Idaho, and Louisiana — have enacted laws allowing OTC sale of ivermectin. Ivermectin lotion (Sklice) for head lice is available over-the-counter nationwide. Topical ivermectin cream (Soolantra) for rosacea requires a prescription in all states.

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