Iverjohn

Iverjohn-3 (Ivermectin) is used for to treat parasitic infections including strongyloidiasis (anguillulosis), microfilaraemia and skin mites (scabies).

It can be used to treat:

• An infection in your gut called intestinal strongyloidiasis (anguillulosis). This is caused by a type of round worm called “Strongyloidiasis stercoralis”.
• An infection of your blood called microfilaraemia due to “lymphatic filariasis”. This is caused by an immature worm called “Wuchereria Bancroft”.
• Skin mites (scabies). This is when tiny mites burrow under your skin. This can cause severe itching.

Always take Iverjohn-3 (Ivermectin) exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about how much to take or when to take it.

For treatment of gastrointestinal strongyloidiasis (anguillulosis) the recommended dosage is 200μg Ivermectin per kg body weight. This is taken orally as a single dose.

For treatment of human scabies it is usually recommended to take a dose of 200μg for each kg of body weight.

The number of prescribed tablets should be taken all at the same time as a single dose. The tablets should be taken with some water on an empty stomach. Do not eat any food within two hours before or after taking this medicine.

Your doctor may decide to give you a second single dose within 8 to 15 days depending on your response to Iverjohn-3 (Ivermectin).

Side Effects you many experience while taking Iverjohn-3 (Ivermectin) can vary according to the infections you are treating.

People with intestinal strongyloidiasis (anguillulosis) may have the following side effects:

• Feeling unusually weak
• Loss of appetite, stomach pain, constipation or diarrhoea
• Nausea or vomiting
• Feeling sleepy or dizzy
• Shaking or tremors
• A decrease in the number of white blood cells (leukopenia)
• A decrease in the amount of red blood cells or the red blood pigment hemoglobin (anaemia)
• adult round worms may be found in your stools.

People with microfilaraemia due to lymphatic filariasis caused by Wuchereria Bancroft mayhave the following side effects:

• Sweating or fever
• Headache
• Feeling unusually weak
• Muscle, joint and general body pains
• Loss of appetite, nausea
• Pain in your stomach (abdominal and epigastria pain)
• Cough or sore throat
• Discomfort when breathing
• Low blood pressure when getting or standing up (you may feel dizzy or light-headed)
• Chills
• Dizziness
• Pain or discomfort in your testicle

People with scabies may have the following side effects:

• Itching (pruritus) may get worse at the start of treatment. This does not usually last long.

People with heavy infection of the worm “Loa loa” may have the following side effects:

• Abnormal brain function
• Neck or back pain
• Bleeding in the whites of your eyes (also known as red eye)
• Being short of breath
• Loss of control of your bladder or your bowels
• Difficulty standing or walking
• Mental status changes
• Feeling drowsy or confused
• Not responding to other people or going into a coma

People infected with the worm “Onchocerca volvulus” which causes river blindness may have the following side effects:

• Itching or rash
• Joint or muscle pains
• Fever
• Nausea or vomiting
• Swelling of lymph nodes
• Swelling, especially of the hands, ankles or feet
• Diarrhoea
• Dizziness
• Low blood pressure (hypotension). You may feel dizzy or light-headed when standing up
• Fast heart rate
• Headache or feeling tired
• Changes to your vision and other eye problems such as infection, redness or unusual feelings
• Bleeding in the whites of your eyes or swelling of your eye lids
• Asthma may get worse

If you notice any other side effects or experience serious side effects, contact your doctor immediately.

Before taking Iverjohn-3 (Ivermectin) your doctor should confirm that you have a parastic infection that will respond to ivermectin.

Tell you doctor:

• if you have a weak immune system (immunity disorder)
• if you live or have lived in parts of Africa where there are cases of human parasitic
infestation with the Loa loa filarial worm also called eye-worm
• if you currently live or have lived in parts of Africa
• any other medicines you are taking or have taken in the past
• if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, or if you are breast-feeding or planning on breast-feeding

If you are being treated for scabies, everyone who comes into contact with you, especially members of your family and partners, should visit a doctor as soon as possible. The doctor will decide whether these persons should also be treated. If infected contact persons are not also treated promptly, there is a danger that they could re-infect you with scabies.