What Is Ivermectin? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know in 2026

Ivermectin is one of the most significant antiparasitic medications ever developed. Its discovery earned the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, and it's on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. Despite being surrounded by controversy in recent years due to COVID-19 misinformation, ivermectin's genuine medical value — for the conditions it's actually approved to treat — is substantial. Here's a comprehensive guide to what ivermectin is, what it does, and who it's for.

What Is Ivermectin?

Ivermectin is a prescription antiparasitic medication belonging to the avermectin family. It was first discovered in the late 1970s from a soil bacterium (Streptomyces avermitilis) found on a Japanese golf course and was initially used in veterinary medicine. FDA approval for human use followed in 1987.

The brand name for ivermectin tablets is Stromectol (manufactured by Merck). Generic ivermectin tablets are widely available and made by multiple manufacturers. Other brand names include Soolantra (topical cream for rosacea) and Sklice (topical lotion for head lice).

What Is Ivermectin FDA-Approved to Treat?

The FDA has approved ivermectin for the following specific uses in humans:

• Strongyloidiasis: An intestinal infection caused by Strongyloides stercoralis, a tiny threadworm that can burrow into the intestinal wall. More common in people who have lived in or traveled to tropical and subtropical regions.
• Onchocerciasis (River Blindness): A parasitic infection transmitted by blackfly bites in tropical Africa and parts of Latin America and Yemen. Untreated, it causes severe itching, skin damage, and eventually blindness. Ivermectin is the cornerstone of global river blindness elimination programs.
• Rosacea (Soolantra topical cream): The 1% ivermectin cream is FDA-approved to treat inflammatory lesions of rosacea, a common chronic skin condition causing facial redness and pustules.
• Head Lice (Sklice topical lotion): The 0.5% ivermectin lotion kills head lice with a single 10-minute application and is available OTC.

Off-Label Uses of Ivermectin

In addition to FDA-approved indications, doctors commonly prescribe ivermectin off-label (a legal and common practice) for:

• Scabies (a very common off-label use; ivermectin is effective for typical and crusted scabies)
• Cutaneous larva migrans (hookworm skin infection from contact with contaminated soil)
• Lymphatic filariasis (in combination regimens)
• Mansonella ozzardi and other filarial infections

Important: Ivermectin is NOT approved for COVID-19. Multiple large clinical trials have found no benefit, and the FDA, CDC, NIH, and WHO all advise against using ivermectin for COVID-19.

What Are the Dosage Forms?

• Oral tablets: 3 mg tablets (generic or Stromectol brand). Dose is based on body weight.
• Topical cream (Soolantra): 1% ivermectin applied once daily for rosacea.
• Topical lotion (Sklice): 0.5% ivermectin applied once to scalp for head lice; available OTC.

How Is the Dose Calculated?

Oral ivermectin dosing is weight-based, which means the number of tablets you take depends on how much you weigh. Tablets are 3 mg each, and typical doses are:

• Strongyloidiasis: 200 mcg/kg as a single dose. A 70 kg (154 lb) person would take approximately 14,000 mcg total — about 4-5 tablets at once.
• Onchocerciasis: 150 mcg/kg as a single dose, repeated every 3-12 months. A 70 kg person would take 3-4 tablets.

Ivermectin tablets should be taken on an empty stomach with a full glass of water. Food (particularly high-fat meals) can significantly increase absorption and drug levels, which may worsen side effects.

Who Should Not Take Ivermectin?

• People with a known allergy to ivermectin or any ingredient in the formulation
• Children weighing less than 15 kg (33 lbs) — insufficient safety data; AAP recommends against use
• Pregnant women — safety not established; use only if clearly necessary as determined by your doctor

For more detail on side effects and what to watch for, see our guide on ivermectin side effects. And if you're struggling to find ivermectin at a pharmacy near you, medfinder can help by calling pharmacies on your behalf.