Medication Information Leaflet

What is this medication for?

Ivermectin is used to treat certain parasite and worm infections.

How should I take or use this medication?

• Take this medication as instructed by your healthcare professional.
• Check with your healthcare professional if you should take this medication before or after food.
• Take this medication with a full glass of water.

What should I do if I forget to take or use this medication?

If you have missed your dose, take it as soon as you remember.

What precautions should I take when taking or using this medication?

Inform your healthcare professional if: 

• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding 
• You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies

What are some common side effects of this medication?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people will experience no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or seek medical attention if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Itching
• Skin irritation

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, speak to your healthcare professional during your next appointment. However, if the symptoms are severe, do see your healthcare professional immediately.

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following: 

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
• Difficulty in breathing
• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

Other rare but serious side effects:

• Pain in abdomen, neck, back or joint pain
• Pain or bleeding in eyes, red eyes or change in eyesight
• Shortness of breath
• Fever, seizure, confusion, disorientation
• Trouble walking or standing
• Feeling very tired or weak
• Unable to control passing of urine or stools

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

What food or medication should I avoid when I take or use this medication?

Avoid taking grapefruit when you are taking this medicine as grapefruit may interact with your medicine and increase the risk of side-effects.

Inform your healthcare professional if you are on any other medications (examples include Warfarin, Ciclosporin etc).

How should I store this medication?

Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.

How do I throw away this medication safely?

Pack the medication into a bag and bring it back to the pharmacy where you received the medication from.

Disclaimer

Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.

This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.

Last updated in August 2023