Ivermectin, an anti-parasitic drug primarily used to treat parasitic infections in cattle, sheep, and pigs, has been hailed as the miracle cure-all drug that has the potential to treat or even cure serious diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. But can this drug really do it all? Here are some of the benefits of ivermectin that you may want to discuss with your physician if you’re struggling with any of these conditions or are interested in using ivermectin to potentially prevent them. [insert list of health benefits].

What is ivermectin, and how does it work?

Ivermectin is a deworming drug used to kill parasitic worms, like hookworms and roundworms. This might seem unrelated to health, but many people suffer from parasitic infections that leave them weak, underweight and malnourished. If you have heart disease or high blood pressure, you're more likely to get these infections because they'll increase your chances of getting sick. Fortunately, ivermectin will help rid you of infection and keep your overall health in check. But before getting started on ivermectin treatment it's important to consult a doctor as there can be side effects and complications that come with taking too much of it.

Understanding how ivermectin fights mosquitoes

Ivermectin works by inhibiting glutamate-gated chloride channels. Glutamate is an amino acid that activates neurons and other cells, while a chloride channel moves negatively charged ions into or out of a cell. Mosquitoes have cells in their abdomens with ion channels specific to positively charged ions (sodium), so when ivermectin enters those cells, it effectively blocks sodium channels, which kills them. But even if they were blocking different kinds of ion channels in humans, we would still be fine—our ion channels aren’t very similar to mosquitoes’ and our bodies process ivermectin without significant side effects.

Does it really reduce malarial transmission rates?

Ivermectin is sometimes cited as a cure-all drug, but medical researchers have discovered it doesn’t do much to stop transmission of malaria. Some experts suggest that Ivermectin may reduce rates of transmission by as much as 30% when taken with malaria prophylaxis, but others question whether or not those benefits are significant enough to justify ivermectin use in areas where people are at high risk for malaria. Where does that leave us? In terms of using ivermectin solely for preventing malaria transmission, we need more research to make an informed decision about its effectiveness and efficacy. While we wait for more definitive answers, though, experts recommend using insecticide nets and other techniques proven to prevent disease.

What are the side effects of taking ivermectin prophylactically against malaria?

Ivermectin is given to some populations at risk of contracting malaria as a prophylactic (i.e., preventive) treatment. The potential benefit of prophylactic ivermectin against malaria must be weighed against possible adverse side effects and drug interactions with other medications taken by recipients. Some reports suggest that ivermectin can lead to more severe complications of malaria, including anaemia and excessive bleeding, so further studies on its efficacy and safety in these populations are needed. Pregnant women should not take ivermectin because it could harm their unborn babies, although no definitive research has been conducted on pregnant women yet; there are insufficient data to know whether or not it's safe for new-borns or children.

How many people have taken ivermectin to fight malaria in Africa, and what were their results?

It’s estimated that up to three billion people worldwide have taken ivermectin at some point in their lives. Despite its widespread use, however, there is limited information about its long-term effects on humans. Most of what we know about ivermectin and other parasitic ides comes from studies done on rats and mice. These data are helpful in terms of knowing what will kill parasites but they do not necessarily apply to humans.

Who else can benefit from using ivermectin against malaria in endemic areas (outside of African travellers)?

Certain members of at-risk groups can also benefit from using ivermectin to prevent malaria. Researchers have found that areas with heavy and prolonged rainfall are likely to have Anopheles mosquitoes that are resistant to existing insecticides; therefore, additional methods of preventing bites may be necessary. People with low body weight, or those who weigh less than 50 kilograms (110 pounds), may require a higher dose in order for treatment to be effective against malaria. Pregnant women who travel outside of an area where Plasmodium falciparum is present should also use ivermectin in combination with antihistamines and/or anti-malarial medication, such as doxycycline, because certain drug combinations can harm fatal development and lead to abnormal brain structure.