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Ivermectin is a type of medication known as an anthelmintic. This means that it’s able to kill parasites, such as scabies mites. If you’re prescribed Ivermectin for scabies, you’ll take the medicine as a single oral dose. You may need to take a second dose seven to 14 days after the first to ensure all mites are dead.
Ivermectin is very effective in treating scabies. Around 58% of people found their infection was cleared after a single dose, while 98% of patients were scabies-free after two doses.
As Ivermectin is an oral scabies medication, some people may find it more convenient than a topical treatment.
It’s essential you get a professional diagnosis and go through a comprehensive consultation process before taking Ivermectin. This will help to ensure the medication is safe for you to use and the best option for your infection.
Ivermectin is often prescribed to treat scabies - a highly contagious and extremely itchy skin disease that’s caused by mites.
The medication was first developed to treat parasitic infections in animals, but is now commonly prescribed to human patients.
Ivermectin is a type of anthelmintic, a medicine that kills parasites such as worms and scabies mites. It works by interfering with the nervous system and muscle function of the parasite. This paralyzes the parasite and kills it, helping you get rid of your infection for good.
Ivermectin should kill scabies mites in around 12 to 56 hours after you take it. However, it won’t kill scabies eggs, so it may be necessary to do a repeat dose seven to 14 days after the first in order to kill any newly hatched mites.
A dose of Ivermectin is made up of multiple tablets based on body weight. It’s best to take Ivermectin on an empty stomach, as this helps to ensure it’s as effective as possible. Swallow the tablets with a glass of water.
You will also need to take a second dose to ensure all mites have been killed and the infection is completely cleared.
Important: tablets are not the same as doses.
The number of tablets you take does not equal the number of doses.
Your dose is calculated based on your body weight, and you may need to take several tablets at the same time to make up a single dose.
It may take up to four weeks to know if the treatment has been successful.
| Body Weight (Kg) | Dose (Number of 3mg Tablets) |
| 15 to 24 | One |
| 25 to 35 | Two |
| 36 to 50 | Three |
| 51 to 65 | Four |
66 to 79 | Five |
80+ | Six |
The maximum dose required for any adult is 6 tablets (18 mg) per dose.
Most people will need two doses of ivermectin to effectively treat scabies.
This second dose is important because ivermectin does not reliably kill scabies eggs, and missing it can increase the risk of treatment failure or reinfestation.
Ivermectin is very effective in treating scabies. Around 58% of people clear their infection after one dose, while up to 98% are scabies-free after two doses.
In the majority of cases, yes. A single dose may be sufficient in limited situations, but standard clinical guidance recommends a second dose to ensure effective treatment.
Scabies is highly contagious. All household members and close contacts should be treated at the same time, even if they do not have symptoms.
However: Ivermectin is a Prescription Only Medicine (POM).
We can only supply treatment to the named patient who has completed a consultation.
Each household member must complete their own consultation and receive treatment in their own name.
Treatment cannot be shared between people.
Ivermectin is the active ingredient in the medication. One tablet contains 3mg Ivermectin.
As with all medications, Ivermectin may cause some side effects, though these are not usually serious and shouldn’t last long. You may be more likely to experience side effects if you’re infected with several different parasites.
If you’re using Ivermectin to treat a scabies infection, the most common side effect is increased itching at the start of treatment. This shouldn’t last long and should be manageable.
If you have an allergic reaction to Ivermectin, you should stop taking the medication and seek medical help straight away. Signs of an allergic reaction include:
Ivermectin shouldn’t be taken by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding unless their doctor has instructed them to do so. Young children (less than 15kg) shouldn’t take Ivermectin as there isn’t enough research into its effects. Ivermectin may also be unsuitable if you’re aged 65 or over.
It’s important not to drink alcohol when taking Ivermectin. This is because the medication could react with alcohol and increase the chances that you’ll experience side effects.
Tell your doctor about any other medications you take during your consultation to ensure Ivermectin is the right choice for you. Make sure you have a confirmed diagnosis before taking the medication.
Scabies is an itchy rash that’s caused by mites. It’s very contagious and can be easily spread through skin-to-skin contact. If you have scabies, you may notice a rash between your fingers, around your wrists, under your arms and around your waist, groin and bottom, though scabies can affect all parts of the body.
A scabies rash is usually made up of tiny, raised spots. These can appear in rows or dotted across the affected area. You may also notice burrow marks on your skin. These normally appear as short (1cm or less), wavy, silver-coloured lines. Itching caused by scabies is normally more intense at night.
The best way to know for certain if you have scabies is to speak to a doctor or medical professional. They’ll be able to assess your symptoms and find the treatment that’s right for you.
Ivermectin is an effective scabies treatment. On average, 58% of people are scabies-free after a single dose of the medication and 98% of patients were able to clear their infection after two doses.
It’s important to remember that itching caused by scabies could become worse in the days after you take your first dose of Ivermectin. If this happens, don’t worry, it doesn’t mean the medication isn’t working. However, if your skin hasn’t healed after four weeks, you may still have mites and could need a follow-up treatment.
Ivermectin should begin to kill the scabies mites on your body 12 to 56 hours after you take your first dose. However, as the medication can’t kill eggs, you’ll need to take a second dose seven to 14 days after the first to kill all newly hatched mites.
Your rash should begin to ease soon after your infection is cleared. You may find it takes between four and six weeks for your skin to completely heal from the infection.
Unless you have a very mild infection, it’s recommended to take two doses of Ivermectin to get rid of scabies. Ivermectin only kills live scabies mites, not their eggs, so you’ll need to take a second dose seven to 14 days after the first to ensure your infection is gone.
Taking a second dose of Ivermectin significantly increases your chances of clearing the infection, with around 98% of patients scabies-free after the second dose.
There are some medications that interact with Ivermectin, so it’s essential to tell your doctor about all the treatments you take during your consultation to ensure Ivermectin is safe for you.
Ivermectin may magnify the effects of other medications that cause central nervous system depression, such as benzodiazepines. It can also interact with a number of other medications including anticoagulants.
Drinking alcohol when taking Ivermectin could increase levels of the medication in your blood, making you more likely to experience side effects.
The itching that’s caused by scabies mites may take a while to ease after your treatment with Ivermectin. If you still feel itchy three to four weeks after your second dose of the medication, the treatment may not have worked.
If you think you still have scabies following Ivermectin treatment, you’ll need to speak to your doctor or consult a medical professional. They’ll be able to offer advice and guidance on other treatment options.
It’s a good idea to avoid alcohol when taking Ivermectin. Drinking alcohol may increase your chances of experiencing side effects. It could also make you more likely to feel tired and drowsy.
Ivermectin may also make you feel less alert and less coordinated. It may be better to avoid any activities that require high levels of coordination when taking the medication.
Scabies mites and eggs could live in your clothes and bedding, as well as on your body. Wash your sheets and clothes at high temperatures to kill any parasites that may be present.
Keep your nails cut short. Long nails could give mites somewhere to hide and may also make skin lesions worse. Try to avoid close contact with other people and avoid sharing personal items like clothes, towels and bedding.
Ivermectin is a prescription-only medication. So, you’ll need to speak to a medical professional before you can access the treatment. The consultation process is quick, easy and discreet. Our team of UK doctors will assess your symptoms, your health and your lifestyle to find the most appropriate treatment for you.
Our trusted team is always available to provide help, support and guidance. To find out more, and learn about the other medications we offer,contact us today.
We think accessing healthcare should be easy. Whether we’re fulfilling NHS prescriptions or helping people find the right treatments, we aim to offer our customers dependable, economical and convenient access to medicines with a personal and discreet service.
Visit our Scabies page for treatments, advice and FAQs.
