Quick answer: Ivermectin is a prescription antiparasitic medication. The oral tablet form is FDA-approved to treat two specific parasitic infections in humans: intestinal strongyloidiasis and onchocerciasis. It is not approved to prevent or treat viral infections, cancer, or any condition outside those two indications. This page is a starting point; it links out to more detail on safety, approved uses, access, and how 50 Stars Health's telehealth path works.
What ivermectin is
Ivermectin is an antiparasitic drug. In its FDA-approved oral tablet form, marketed under the brand name Stromectol as well as generic and compounded versions, it is indicated for two conditions: intestinal strongyloidiasis and onchocerciasis (river blindness), both caused by parasitic worms (FDA-approved Stromectol drug label, accessdata.fda.gov). It is a prescription-only medication under federal law. A licensed provider determines, after reviewing a patient's health information, whether treatment is appropriate for that patient.
The two FDA-approved oral uses
Oral ivermectin's FDA approval covers exactly two indications, per the approved drug label:
Intestinal strongyloidiasis. An infection caused by the parasitic roundworm Strongyloides stercoralis, which lives in the intestine.
Onchocerciasis. Also known as river blindness, an infection caused by the parasitic worm Onchocerca volvulus.
Those are the only two conditions the oral tablet is FDA-approved to treat. You may see ivermectin discussed online in connection with other conditions. Any use outside these two indications is off-label, meaning the FDA has not evaluated or approved the drug for that use. For a deeper look at these two approved indications, see What Is Ivermectin Used For? FDA-Approved Uses Explained.
Safety basics
Like any prescription medication, ivermectin carries potential side effects, and a licensed provider weighs those against a patient's health history before prescribing. This page does not list dosing information or side-effect detail; for that, see Ivermectin Side Effects: What to Know Before Treatment. Ivermectin made for animals is never a substitute for the human product; see Animal Ivermectin vs. Human Ivermectin: Are They the Same Drug? for why.
How access works
In most US states, oral ivermectin requires a prescription from a licensed provider, filled by a licensed pharmacy. A small number of states have passed laws allowing a pharmacist to dispense ivermectin without an individual prescription, using different legal mechanisms state to state. For the current state-by-state picture, see Ivermectin Laws by State and Is Ivermectin Over the Counter?
Outside of those states, the path to treatment runs through a licensed provider evaluation, which can happen in person or by telehealth. See How to Get Ivermectin and Get an Ivermectin Prescription Online for how that process works, and How to Buy Ivermectin Legally for how to tell a legitimate source from an illegitimate one.
Compounded ivermectin
Some telehealth pharmacies, including 50 Stars Health, dispense compounded ivermectin tablets rather than the FDA-approved brand-name product. Compounded medications are prepared by a licensed pharmacy for an individual patient and are not themselves FDA-approved, meaning the FDA does not review their specific safety, effectiveness, or manufacturing quality the way it reviews an approved drug (FDA, Compounding and the FDA: Questions and Answers). See What Is Compounded Ivermectin? and Stromectol vs. Compounded Ivermectin: What's the Difference? for the full picture.
The 50 Stars Health path
50 Stars Health offers a telehealth path to ivermectin treatment. You complete an intake, a licensed provider reviews it, and if they determine treatment is appropriate for you, a prescription can be issued at their discretion. Nothing is guaranteed, and nothing is issued without that clinical evaluation. Start an intake at 50 Stars Health ivermectin to see whether your state is eligible.
Bottom line
- Ivermectin's oral tablet form is FDA-approved for two parasitic infections: intestinal strongyloidiasis and onchocerciasis.
- It is not approved for any other use, and it is prescription-only under federal law in most states.
- A licensed provider, not a search result, determines whether treatment is appropriate for a given patient.
- 50 Stars Health's telehealth path connects patients with a licensed provider to find out whether treatment is right for them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ivermectin approved to treat?
Oral ivermectin is FDA-approved for two conditions: intestinal strongyloidiasis and onchocerciasis, both caused by parasitic worms. It is not approved for any other use.
Is ivermectin a prescription drug?
Yes. Under federal law, oral ivermectin is a prescription medication. A small number of states have passed laws allowing pharmacist dispensing without an individual prescription; see the state-by-state page linked above for details.
Is ivermectin the same as the ivermectin sold for animals?
No. Veterinary ivermectin products are separately approved, formulated and concentrated differently for different species, and are never a safe substitute for the human product.
How do I get an ivermectin prescription?
Through a licensed provider evaluation, in person or by telehealth. A provider reviews your health information and determines, at their discretion, whether treatment is appropriate for you.
Is compounded ivermectin the same as brand-name Stromectol?
They share the same active ingredient but are not identical products. Compounded ivermectin is prepared by a licensed compounding pharmacy and is not itself FDA-approved, while Stromectol is the FDA-approved brand-name product. See the compounded ivermectin pages linked above for the full comparison.
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.
