Ivermectin is an antiparasitic drug.[7] After its discovery in 1975,[8] its first uses were in veterinary medicine to prevent and treat heartworm and acariasis.[9] Approved for human use in 1987,[10] it is used to treat infestations including head lice, scabies, river blindness (onchocerciasis), strongyloidiasis, trichuriasis, ascariasis and lymphatic filariasis.[9][11][12][13] It works through many mechanisms to kill the targeted parasites,[11] and can be taken by mouth, or applied to the skin for external infestations.[11][14] It belongs to the avermectin family of medications.[11]
William Campbell and Satoshi Ōmura were awarded the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for its discovery and applications.[15] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines,[16][17] and is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an antiparasitic agent.[18] In 2023, it was the 295th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 400,000 prescriptions.[19][20] It is available as a generic medicine.[21][22] Ivermectin is available in a fixed-dose combination with albendazole.[23]
Misinformation has been widely spread claiming that ivermectin is beneficial for treating and preventing COVID-19.[24][25] Such claims are not backed by credible scientific evidence.[26][27][28] Multiple major health organizations, including the US Food and Drug Administration,[29] the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,[30] the European Medicines Agency,[27] and the World Health Organization have advised that ivermectin is not recommended for the treatment of COVID-19.[27][31]