Ivermectin belongs to a class of medicines known as ectoparasiticides. It helps to treat many types of parasite infections, including head lice, scabies, river blindness (onchocerciasis), certain types of diarrhoea (strongyloidiasis) and some other worm infections. It can be taken by mouth or applied to the skin for external infestations.

• Ivermectin is used to treat strongyloidiasis (threadworm; infection with a type of roundworm that enters the body through the skin, moves through the airways and lives in the intestines).
• Ivermectin is also used to control onchocerciasis (river blindness; infection with a type of roundworm that may cause a rash, bumps under the skin, and vision problems including vision loss or blindness).
• Ivermectin is in a class of medications called anthelmintics.
• It treats strongyloidiasis by killing the worms in the intestines.

• Headache,
• Dizziness,
• muscle pain,
• Nausea,
• Diarrhoea,
• Swelling of hands/ankles/feet,
• Swelling or tenderness of your lymph nodes,
• Itching, / skin rash
• Feeling something is in your eye(s).
• If you are being treated for "river blindness" (onchocerciasis), you may experience reactions to the dying parasites during the first 4 days of treatment, including joint pain, tender/swollen lymph nodes, eye swelling/redness/pain, weakness, vision changes, itching, rash, and fever.
• If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
• Tell your doctor right away if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: neck/back pain, swelling face/arms/hands/feet, chest pain, fast heartbeat, confusion, seizures, loss of consciousness.
• A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.

• Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver problems.
• If you have traveled or lived in West or Central Africa, you may be infected with certain parasites (such as Loa loa, African trypanosomiasis) that could cause problems with ivermectin treatment. 
• These effects could rarely result in serious (possibly fatal) effects on the brain (such as encephalopathy). Consult your doctor for more information.
• This drug may make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).
• If you have a weakened immune system (such as due to HIV infection), you may need repeat treatments with this medicine. Talk to your doctor for more details.
• During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
• Ivermectin passes into breast milk. Though there have been no reports of harm to nursing infants, consult your doctor before breast-feeding.