Arkansas, Idaho, and Tennessee have made ivermectin an OTC drug, with several other states considering similar legislation.
Has anyone here used ivermectin? For what purpose? How did you use it? What were the results or effects?
I used it once years ago, prescribed by a highly regarded GI doctor in Los Angeles to treat my bloating complaint.
I have persistent eczema patches, which Dupixent calms if the injection is timely. However, I’m unsure about using Dupixent as a lifer, as it’s costly, requires injection, and refrigeration.
I’m considering trying ivermectin, based on the theory that my eczema may be related to parasites or something viral.
There is little research on off-label use of X, but there is abundant anecdotal usage for various conditions, including by Mel Gibson.
Has anyone thought about giving it a try?
Some recent research on Ivermectin:
1. Ivermectin: A Multifaceted Drug With a Potential Beyond Anti-parasitic Therapy
- Citation: King et al., PMC, Published March 11, 2024
- Study Type: Narrative review
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Key Findings:
- Explores ivermectin’s role beyond parasitic infections, focusing on antiviral (e.g., human adenovirus, not SARS-CoV-2) and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Discusses topical ivermectin’s efficacy in rosacea, reducing inflammatory lesions via anti-inflammatory and anti-parasitic effects on Demodex mites.
- Suggests potential for combination therapies in inflammatory or infectious diseases but notes limited clinical evidence.
- No direct mention of eczema, but anti-inflammatory mechanisms could theoretically apply to skin conditions like eczema.
- Relevance: Relevant to your interest in ivermectin for eczema, as it highlights anti-inflammatory effects and dermatological applications, though eczema-specific data is absent.
2. Topical Ivermectin 1% Cream for the Treatment of Papulopustular Rosacea: A Systematic Review
- Citation: Ebbelaar et al., Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Published January 2020
- Study Type: Systematic review
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Key Findings:
- Reviewed 7 studies (1,834 patients) on topical ivermectin 1% cream for papulopustular rosacea.
- Found significant reduction in inflammatory lesions and Demodex mite density compared to placebo or metronidazole.
- Well-tolerated with minimal adverse effects (e.g., mild skin irritation).
- The mechanism involves anti-inflammatory and anti-parasitic effects, potentially applicable to other inflammatory skin conditions.
- Relevance: Provides evidence for ivermectin’s dermatological use, indirectly relevant to eczema due to shared inflammatory pathways, though no direct eczema trials.
3. Ivermectin in the Treatment of Scabies: A Review of Clinical Efficacy and Safety
- Citation: Rosumeck et al., Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Published April 2, 2020
- Study Type: Systematic review
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Key Findings:
- Analyzed 15 RCTs (1,892 participants) on oral and topical ivermectin for scabies.
- Oral ivermectin (200 μg/kg, single or double dose) was effective in clearing scabies infestations, comparable to topical permethrin.
- Topical ivermectin is also effective, particularly for crusted scabies.
- Mild adverse effects (e.g., itching, headache) reported; no serious safety concerns.
- Relevance: Supports ivermectin’s approved use for parasitic skin conditions, relevant to OTC availability and your hypothesis about parasites in eczema, though scabies differs from eczema.
4. Ivermectin as a Potential Treatment for Onchocerciasis and Other Neglected Tropical Diseases
- Citation: Crump et al., Trends in Parasitology, Published October 2021
- Study Type: Review article
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Key Findings:
- Focuses on ivermectin’s role in mass drug administration for onchocerciasis (river blindness) and lymphatic filariasis.
- Highlights its efficacy in reducing microfilarial loads and preventing disease progression.
- Discusses emerging resistance in some parasite populations, calling for combination therapies.
- Notes ivermectin’s anti-inflammatory effects in reducing skin and ocular inflammation in onchocerciasis.
- Relevance: Reinforces ivermectin’s anti-parasitic and anti-inflammatory effects, potentially relevant to eczema if parasitic triggers are involved, though no direct link.
5. Ivermectin’s Antiviral Activity Against Non-SARS-CoV-2 Viruses: A Preclinical Study
- Citation: Jans et al., Antiviral Research, Published December 2020
- Study Type: In vitro and preclinical study
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Key Findings:
- Investigated ivermectin’s antiviral effects against viruses like dengue, Zika, and human adenovirus.
- Found ivermectin inhibits viral replication in cell cultures, likely via nuclear transport inhibition.
- Effective concentrations were higher than those safely achievable in humans, limiting clinical applicability.
- Suggested potential for topical or combination therapies in viral skin infections.
- Relevance: Explores off-label antiviral potential, indirectly relevant to eczema if viral triggers are considered, but no direct eczema application.
Notes:
- Eczema-Specific Research: No papers directly study ivermectin for eczema. The anti-inflammatory and anti-parasitic effects in rosacea (Ebbelaar et al., 2020) and onchocerciasis (Crump et al., 2021) suggest theoretical relevance, but clinical trials are needed to confirm efficacy for eczema.
- Parasite Hypothesis: Your interest in parasites as a potential eczema trigger aligns with ivermectin’s use in scabies and onchocerciasis, but no evidence links eczema to parasitic causes in most cases.
- Off-Label Use: King et al. (2024) and Jans et al. (2020) highlight ivermectin’s exploration for non-parasitic conditions, but data remains preclinical or limited, supporting caution for OTC use.
- Sources: All papers are from peer-reviewed journals (e.g., PubMed, Cochrane, J Am Acad Dermatol). X posts were excluded due to lack of verifiable citations.
- Limitations: Few recent non-COVID-19 studies exist, as research has been dominated by COVID-19 controversies. Older studies on parasitic diseases remain relevant for approved uses.
