IVERMECTIN-Anti Helmintic drug

PHARMACOLOGY OF IVERMECTIN

MECHANISM OF ACTION

Ivermectin binds selectively and with high affinity to glutamate-gated chloride ion channels in invertebrate muscles and nerve cells of the microfilla. This binding causes an increase in the permeability of the cell membrane to chloride ions and results in hyper polarization of the cells leading to paralysis and death of the parasite. Ivermectin act as an agonist of the neurotransmitter gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), thereby disrupting GABA-mediated central nervous system (CNS) neurosynptic transmission.

USES

1. For parasitic roundworm infections

2. Treat head lice

3. Scabies

4. River blindness

5. Strongyloidiasis

6. Lymphatic filariasis

SIDE EFFECTS

1. Red eyes

2. Dry skin

3. Burning skin

Reference- Tripathi KD "Essential of medical pharmacology" 7th edition, page no- 850,853,854,902,904