IVERMECTIN
Updated: Oct 21
I am always gathering information on this topic since it comes up often. Please email me any resources you have on it at theriseabovelyme@gmail.com
I have used ivermectin myself. My doctor sent the prescription to a compounding pharmacy.
Ivermectin is mentioned often in our groups for Lyme, too. My doctor once mentioned it may help with Lyme and Bartonella. I haven't found published studies on that yet, so if you have any, please send them my way.
Short on time or energy? A quick-view graphic with the key points is at the bottom of this post.
WHAT IS IVERMECTIN?
-Ivermectin is a prescription medicine used for certain parasite infections, such as intestinal threadworm and river blindness.
-Doctors sometimes also use it for other roundworm infections, head lice and scabies.
-Babesia is a parasite too, so researchers have tested ivermectin against it in the lab.
-Whether it fits your treatment is between you and your doctor.
WHAT THE BABESIA RESEARCH SHOWS
-A 2019 lab and mouse study from Japan was the first to test ivermectin directly against Babesia. In lab dishes, it slowed the growth of every type tested. Most of the types tested were ones found in animals.
-In the lab, after 4 days of treatment at the highest amount tested, four of the Babesia types did not grow back once the ivermectin was stopped.
-In mice with Babesia microti (the type most common in people in the US), ivermectin slowed Babesia growth by 63%, and the researchers saw no signs of toxic side effects in the mice.
-It worked better when half doses were paired with other medicines, including atovaquone. Ivermectin with atovaquone lowered the peak Babesia level by 76.5%, and no Babesia DNA was found in those mice at the end of the study.
-The researchers feel ivermectin may have potential against human babesiosis, especially in combination, and say more studies are needed to learn exactly how it works against Babesia.
-This was a lab and animal study, so human studies are still needed.
SAFETY BASICS
These come from NIH MedlinePlus:
-Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin, supplement and herb you take.
-Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have a condition that affects your immune system.
-Common side effects can include dizziness, nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation and weakness.
-Call your doctor right away if you get a rash, hives, blistering or peeling skin, or feel very sleepy or confused.
-Only take ivermectin made for people and prescribed by your doctor. Never use versions made for animals.
IVERMECTIN AND COVID-19
-Some people have asked about ivermectin and COVID-19. A large NIH-funded trial run by Duke studied this in people with mild to moderate COVID-19. In 2022, Duke reported that ivermectin did not shorten symptoms compared with placebo, at either of the two doses tested.
COVID and Viral - Prevention and Solutions:
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Babesia (education)
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Babesia Directory
Babesia Most Common Symptoms
Malarone / Atovaquone
Alinia
Zithromax / Azithromycin
Parasites
Parasites - Possible Solutions
Mimosa Pudica
SOURCES
Duke Health - Study confirms no benefit to taking ivermectin for COVID-19 symptoms (December 2022)
Duke Health - Study finds no benefit to taking ivermectin for COVID-19 symptoms (June 2022)
NIH MedlinePlus - Ivermectin (July 2022)
Tropical Medicine and Health - Evaluation of the inhibitory effect of ivermectin on the growth of Babesia and Theileria parasites in vitro and in vivo (July 2019, older source, still worth reading)
Disclaimer: Rise Above Lyme makes no claims about any possible benefit of using any product mentioned within this site. Always consult with your doctor before adding anything. The information shared is based on personal experience, years of accumulated researched resources from Lyme Literate doctors and polls conducted within Lyme groups from actual patient experience using these solution ideas.
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