Comprehensive medication guide to Ivermectin including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$30 copay for generic ivermectin on Tier 1–2 commercial insurance plans; usually covered for FDA-approved indications (strongyloidiasis, onchocerciasis) without prior authorization. Coverage for off-label uses like scabies varies by plan.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$58–$157 retail for generic ivermectin 3 mg tablets (20 count) without insurance; as low as $27.75 with GoodRx or $36–$48 with SingleCare for a standard prescription fill.
Medfinder Findability Score
65/100
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Ivermectin is a prescription antiparasitic medication belonging to the avermectin family of drugs. First discovered from a Japanese soil bacterium (Streptomyces avermitilis) in the late 1970s, it received FDA approval for human use in 1987. Its discovery earned William Campbell and Satoshi Ōmura the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Ivermectin is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines and is one of the most widely used antiparasitic drugs in global health programs.
For human use, ivermectin comes in several forms: oral tablets (3 mg, sold as Stromectol and generics), a topical cream (1% Soolantra for rosacea), and a topical lotion (0.5% Sklice for head lice). The oral tablet is the most commonly prescribed formulation and is the primary focus of this page. In 2023, ivermectin was the 295th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States with over 400,000 prescriptions filled.
Ivermectin is not approved for COVID-19. The FDA, CDC, NIH, and WHO all advise against its use for COVID-19, and multiple large randomized clinical trials (TOGETHER, COVID-OUT, ACTIV-6) found no meaningful clinical benefit.
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Ivermectin kills parasites by binding to glutamate-gated chloride channels (GluCl channels) — protein gates in parasite nerve and muscle cell membranes. When ivermectin binds to these channels, it forces them open permanently, flooding the parasite's cells with chloride ions. This causes the electrical signals in parasite nerve and muscle cells to become permanently silenced, leading to paralysis and death of the parasite.
Ivermectin is safe for humans at therapeutic doses because these glutamate-gated channels in humans are located primarily in the central nervous system (brain), which is protected by the blood-brain barrier. A protein called P-glycoprotein actively pumps ivermectin out of the brain before it can accumulate. Parasites lack this protection — their GluCl channels are exposed in peripheral nerve and muscle tissue where ivermectin reaches easily.
Ivermectin also enhances GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) activity at GABA-gated chloride channels in parasites, amplifying the paralytic effect. The combined action on both channel types makes ivermectin extremely potent against a wide range of worms, insects, and ectoparasites while maintaining an excellent safety profile for humans when used at recommended doses.
3 mg — tablet (oral)
Standard oral tablet for strongyloidiasis (200 mcg/kg single dose) and onchocerciasis (150 mcg/kg single dose, repeated every 3-12 months). Weight-based dosing: 1-6+ tablets per dose.
1% — topical cream (Soolantra)
Applied once daily to affected facial areas for inflammatory lesions of rosacea.
0.5% — topical lotion (Sklice)
Applied once to dry hair and scalp for 10 minutes, then rinsed. For head lice. Available OTC.
Ivermectin is not on the FDA's official drug shortage list as of 2026, which means there is no documented nationwide manufacturing shortage. However, the medication is not uniformly easy to find. Patients in rural areas, smaller markets, or areas affected by scabies outbreaks frequently report difficulty locating it at their local pharmacy.
The COVID-19 pandemic drove a massive surge in ivermectin demand in 2021-2022 based on misinformation about its efficacy for COVID-19. This overwhelmed pharmacy supply chains and created distribution patterns that have not fully normalized. Additionally, four states — Tennessee, Arkansas, Idaho, and Louisiana — enacted OTC ivermectin laws in 2022-2025, changing how pharmacies stock and categorize the product.
If you're having trouble finding ivermectin at your pharmacy, medfinder can help. medfinder calls pharmacies near you to find which ones have your medication in stock — without you spending hours on hold. It's the fastest way to locate ivermectin when your first-choice pharmacy is out of stock.
Ivermectin is not a controlled substance and can be prescribed by any licensed healthcare provider with prescribing authority. There are no special DEA registration requirements to prescribe ivermectin, unlike Schedule II-IV medications. Providers who commonly prescribe ivermectin include:
Ivermectin is available via telehealth in all states for conditions like scabies and rosacea, where in-person examination is not required. For parasitic infections requiring laboratory confirmation (strongyloidiasis, onchocerciasis), lab testing may be needed before or alongside a telehealth prescription.
No. Ivermectin is not a controlled substance under the DEA's scheduling framework. It has no DEA Schedule classification and does not carry the prescription restrictions that apply to opioids, benzodiazepines, or stimulants.
This means ivermectin can be prescribed by any licensed prescriber — physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and others with prescribing authority — without special DEA licensing. Prescriptions can be sent electronically and refilled (if clinically indicated) without the scheduling restrictions applicable to controlled substances. Ivermectin can also be prescribed via telehealth in all states without the additional limitations that apply to Schedule II medications.
As of 2025, four U.S. states (Tennessee, Arkansas, Idaho, and Louisiana) have enacted laws permitting over-the-counter sale of ivermectin tablets without a prescription. In all other states, a valid prescription is still required to obtain ivermectin tablets from a pharmacy.
At recommended doses, ivermectin is generally well-tolerated. Common side effects include:
Serious side effects (seek immediate medical attention):
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Albendazole (Albenza)
Broad-spectrum oral anthelmintic; alternative for strongyloidiasis (less effective, 7-day course) and other intestinal parasites.
Permethrin 5% cream (Elimite)
First-line topical alternative for scabies; applied overnight and repeated in 1-2 weeks. OTC permethrin 1% (Nix) for head lice.
Moxidectin
FDA-approved for onchocerciasis in patients ≥12 years; same avermectin class as ivermectin with potentially longer duration of action.
Permethrin 1% lotion (Nix)
OTC head lice treatment; alternative to ivermectin lotion (Sklice) for pediculosis capitis.
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Warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)
majorIvermectin significantly increases warfarin's anticoagulant effect, raising bleeding risk. INR monitoring required within days of taking ivermectin.
Quinidine
majorP-glycoprotein inhibitor; can substantially increase ivermectin blood and brain levels, raising CNS toxicity risk.
Ritonavir / HIV protease inhibitors
moderateP-gp inhibition increases ivermectin CNS penetration; monitor for neurological adverse effects.
Itraconazole (antifungal)
moderateInhibits P-gp and CYP3A4, increasing ivermectin exposure; use with caution.
Erythromycin
moderateP-gp inhibitor; can increase ivermectin blood levels; monitor closely.
Rifampin
moderateP-gp inducer; can significantly decrease ivermectin levels and reduce antiparasitic efficacy.
Alcohol
minorCan increase side effects including dizziness and drowsiness; avoid on day of ivermectin dose.
Azithromycin
minorWhen co-administered, azithromycin increases ivermectin AUC by 31% and peak levels by 27%; relevant in combination antiparasitic regimens.
Ivermectin is a genuinely remarkable antiparasitic medication with a Nobel Prize-winning history and a decades-long track record of safety and efficacy. Despite the controversy generated by COVID-19 misinformation, its real value — for strongyloidiasis, river blindness, scabies, and other parasitic conditions — remains significant and well-supported by evidence.
If you have a legitimate medical need for ivermectin, getting it filled may require some persistence. The drug is not in a formal nationwide shortage, but localized stocking gaps are real and frustrating. Independent pharmacies, warehouse clubs, and mail-order options are often worth exploring when chain pharmacies come up empty.
For the most efficient way to find ivermectin in stock near you, use medfinder — a paid service that calls pharmacies on your behalf and texts you the results. With the right tools and a bit of persistence, most patients can find and fill their ivermectin prescription successfully.
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Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
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