Quick answer: Like any prescription medication, ivermectin can cause side effects. For its FDA-approved oral uses, the most commonly reported include dizziness, nausea, and diarrhea, and more serious reactions are possible in some patients. This page covers what the FDA-approved drug label reports, not dosing information. A licensed provider reviews your health history before prescribing and is the right person to ask about your specific situation.
What this page covers
This page summarizes side-effect information for oral ivermectin as reported on its FDA-approved drug label. It does not include dosing amounts, timing, or weight-based instructions. If you have been prescribed ivermectin, follow your provider's specific instructions, not general information from this page. For what ivermectin is approved to treat, see What Is Ivermectin Used For? FDA-Approved Uses Explained.
Commonly reported side effects
The FDA-approved Stromectol label lists side effects reported during clinical trials for the two approved indications, intestinal strongyloidiasis and onchocerciasis (FDA-approved Stromectol drug label, accessdata.fda.gov). Reported effects for strongyloidiasis treatment include dizziness, pruritus (itching), nausea, and asthenia (weakness). Because onchocerciasis treatment kills parasites already in the body, patients treated for that condition can experience a separate set of reactions tied to that process, including ocular and systemic reactions such as itching, facial or peripheral swelling, and, in some cases, more pronounced eye-related symptoms; these are described in detail on the drug label.
When to contact a provider
Contact your prescribing provider if you experience side effects that concern you, that do not improve, or that worsen after starting treatment. Anyone with a known allergy to ivermectin or its ingredients, anyone with other significant health conditions, and anyone taking other medications should discuss those specifics with their provider before starting treatment, since only a licensed provider reviewing your full history can weigh those factors. This page cannot substitute for that review.
What this page does not cover
- Dosing amounts or schedules. Only your prescribing provider should give you that information.
- Off-label uses. This page addresses only the two FDA-approved oral indications, intestinal strongyloidiasis and onchocerciasis.
- Side effects of veterinary ivermectin products. Those are separate, differently formulated products never intended for human use; see Animal Ivermectin vs. Human Ivermectin: Are They the Same Drug?
Compounded ivermectin and side effects
If your prescription is filled as a compounded tablet rather than the FDA-approved brand-name product, the active ingredient is the same, but compounded medications are not themselves FDA-approved and are not independently reviewed by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or manufacturing quality (FDA, Compounding and the FDA: Questions and Answers). See What Is Compounded Ivermectin? for more detail.
How 50 Stars Health handles this
50 Stars Health's telehealth intake asks about your health history so a licensed provider can weigh it before deciding whether treatment is appropriate for you. If a provider prescribes ivermectin, they will give you specific instructions and safety information for your situation. Start an intake at 50 Stars Health ivermectin to see whether your state is eligible.
Bottom line
- Common side effects for the approved oral indications include dizziness, itching, nausea, and weakness, per the FDA-approved drug label.
- Onchocerciasis treatment can involve additional reactions related to the treatment process itself; the drug label covers these in detail.
- This page has no dosing information. Follow your provider's specific instructions.
- Contact your provider with any concerning symptoms after starting treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common ivermectin side effects?
For the treatment of intestinal strongyloidiasis, the FDA-approved label reports dizziness, itching, nausea, and weakness among the most commonly noted effects in clinical trials.
Is ivermectin safe for humans?
Oral ivermectin is FDA-approved and considered safe for its two approved uses when prescribed and monitored by a licensed provider who has reviewed a patient's health history. Safety for any individual patient depends on that provider's evaluation.
Does ivermectin have side effects specific to treating onchocerciasis?
Yes. Because onchocerciasis treatment kills parasites already present in the body, patients can experience reactions tied to that process, including itching and swelling. The FDA-approved drug label describes these in detail.
Who should not take ivermectin without discussing it with a provider first?
Anyone with a known allergy to ivermectin, other significant health conditions, or other medications should discuss those specifics with a licensed provider before starting treatment. Only a provider reviewing a patient's full history can make that determination.
Are side effects different for compounded ivermectin versus brand-name Stromectol?
The active ingredient is the same, but compounded medications are not independently reviewed by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or manufacturing quality, unlike the FDA-approved brand-name product.
This page is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice, nor a substitute for consultation with a licensed healthcare provider. Ivermectin is a prescription medication approved by the FDA to treat certain parasitic infections. It is not approved to prevent or treat viral infections or cancer. Only a licensed provider can determine whether a treatment is appropriate for you, and prescriptions are issued at the provider's discretion following a clinical evaluation. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved and are not reviewed by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or manufacturing quality. If you believe you may have a parasitic infection, speak with a healthcare provider. Do not self-treat. In an emergency, call 911.
