Ivermectin injection
Indication
Ivermectin injection is indicated for the effective treatment and control of parasites.
Pharmacology and Mechanism of Action
Antiparasitic drug. Avermectins (Ivermectin-like drugs) and milbemycins (milbemycin and moxidectin) are macrocyclic lactiones and share similarities, including mechanism of action. These drugs are neurotoxic to parasites by protentiating glutamate-gated chloride ion channels in parasites. Paralysis and death of the parasite are caused by increased permeability to chloride ions and hyperpolarization of nerve cells. These drugs also potentiate other chloride channesl, indlucing ones gated by GABA.
Mammals ordinarily are not affected because they lack glutamate-gated chloride channels, and there is a lower affinity for other mammalian chloride channels. Because these drugs ordinarily do not penetrate the blood-brain barrier, GABA-gated channels in the CNS of mammals are not affected. Ivermectin is active against intestinal parasites, mites, bots, heartworm microfilaria, and developing larvae.
Ivermectin can also produce heartworm adulticide effects when administered long-term. Ivermectin has no effect on trematode or cestode parasites.
