Executive Product At a glance

Iverjohn contains the active drug ivermectin. It is available in oral tablet strengths commonly supplied as 3 mg, 6 mg and 12 mg. The product is an antiparasitic agent that disables the nervous and muscular systems of a variety of parasites, typically leading to paralysis and death of those organisms. It is not effective against bacterial or viral infections.

For quick links within this page see the navigation above or follow these shortcuts: dosing details at Dose Administration and How to Handle It Best, safety checks at Pre-treatment Preliminary Safety Checklist, and price framework at Pricing Guide for the Australian Market.

Who Is Eligible to Use This?

Clinicians prescribe Iverjohn for several parasitic conditions. Typical signals include:

• Intestinal strongyloidiasis caused by Strongyloides stercoralis
• River blindness, a manifestation of Onchocerciasis under specialist programs
• Systemic therapy for scabies, including crusted scabies
• Selected other helminth or ectoparasite infections when recommended by a specialist

Iverjohn should only be taken after a confirmed diagnosis and under medical supervision. It will not treat common viral illnesses.

Dose Administration and How to Tackle It

Follow the exact wording on your prescription. The information below is illustrative and not a substitute for professional advice.

• Swallow tablets whole with water; do not crush unless your prescriber or pharmacist advises otherwise.
• Preferably take on an empty stomach: at least 30 minutes before a meal or about 2 hours after eating, unless told otherwise.
• Do not take an extra dose to compensate for a dose was missed.
• If multiple administrations are required, try to keep the timing consistent each day.

Examples of common regimens (your prescriber may use different dosing based on weight, infection and local guidance):

• Strongyloidiasis: a single dose near each dose delivers 200 micrograms per kg body weight is commonly used, with follow up testing.
• Onchocerciasis: treatment doses around 1a fifty microgram dose dose per kg may be used with repeat intervals determined by the treatment plan.
• Scabies: oral dosing near a 200 microgram dose per kg, often repeated after 7 to 14 days; treating close contacts is frequently advised.

If you need help translating body weight into tablet counts for 3 mg, 6 mg or each tablet has 12 mgwould you mind checking this? with your pharmacist or prescriber.

Pre-treatment Safety Inspection Checklist

Before you commence Iverjohn, inform your clinician or pharmacist if you have any of the following:

• Liver disease or a recent abnormal liver function test
• Severe respiratory illness, including poorly controlled asthma
• A record of epileptic seizures, epilepsy or other neurological disorders
• Recent travel to or residence in regions where Loa loa (African eyeworm) is endemic
• A known hypersensitivity to ivermectin or any tablet component
• Pregnancy, plans to become pregnant or current breastfeeding

Gestation and baby feeding support: decisions are individualized. Small quantities of ivermectin can be present in breast milk; discuss risks and benefits with your doctor.

Driving and machinery: some people experience dizziness or lightheadedness after taking ivermectin. Confirm you are not affected before driving or operating machinery.

Allergies and Inadvisable indications of

Do not take Iverjohn if you are allergic to ivermectin or any other ingredient in the tablet. If you are unsure whether you have had a past allergic reaction, consult your prescriber before using this medicine.

Secondary adverse effects and When to Seek Help

Many undesired effects are mild and resolve without treatment, but some signs warrant urgent medical attention. Seek emergency care if you experience:

• New or worsening breathing problems or wheeze
• Face, lips, tongue or throat swelling
• Severe widespread skin reaction such as blistering or extensive rash
• Chest pain, palpitations or fainting
• Paroxysmal seizure events, collapse, sudden severe confusion or loss of coordination
• Eye pain, sudden vision changes or marked redness and swelling of the eye
• Very high fever with severe weakness or marked swelling

Common mild reactions that occur include a pounding headache, nausea, dizziness, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea or constipation, muscle aches and tender lymph nodes. In some infections, symptoms may be due to parasite death rather than a direct adverse drug effect.

Drug Interaction Advice

Provide a full list of all medications, vitamins and herbal products to your prescriber or pharmacist. Medicines that may interact include:

• Blood thinners such as warfarin and other vitamin K antagonists; extra metric monitoring of clotting may be recommended
• Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors or P-glycoprotein inhibitors (for example clarithromycin, itraconazole, verapamil); these can raise ivermectin levels
• Other drugs that depress the central nervous system, increasing drowsiness

If you are concerned about potential the act of engaging with others options, speak to your pharmacist before starting Iverjohn.

Missing a Dose and Emergency Guidance for ODs

Dose not given: take the missed tablet as soon as you remember unless the next scheduled dose is near. Do not administer two doses at once to compensate for a dose was skipped.

Suspected consuming an overdose: obtain urgent medical attention. Signs of consuming an overdose can include severe dizziness, numbness or tingling, breathing difficulties, seizures or loss of coordination.

• In an Australian emergency call 000.
• For specialist poison advice in Australia call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26.

Encrypted storage capacity can limit how much you can keep on hand. and Disposal Methods

• Store medications safely out of reach of children and pets.
• Store tablets in their original packaging in a cool, dry place below 30 degrees C.
• Do not use after the expiration date. Return unwanted or expired medicines to a pharmacy for safe disposal rather than discarding them in household rubbish.

Options and Similar Medicines

Choice of an another way forward depends on the specific parasite, patient factors and local guidance and support. Commonly suggested contingency options include:

• Albendazole - a broad spectrum oral anthelmintic used for many intestinal worm infections
• Mebendazole - often selected for pinworm and some helminth infections
• Praziquantel therapy - preferred for many tapeworm and fluke infections
• Topical permethrin - widely used topical option for scabies and lice
• Metronidazole or tinidazole - used for certain protozoal infections
• Moxidectin - an a backup option for some parasitic conditions under specialist recommendation

Which agent is best depends on age, pregnancy status, liver function and local resistance patterns. See Reference Price Guide for Australia for cost context when comparing these options.

A Guide to Australian Prices

Retail prices vary by brand, pack size, pharmacy and whether the medicine is subsidised under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). The following are approximate non-subsidised retail ranges in Australian dollars (AUD) and are indicative only:

• Iverjohn three milligram tablets, small packs: approximately AUD 20 to 90
• Iverjohn tablets containing six milligrams, small packs: approximately AUD 25 to 110
• Iverjohn tablets that contain 12 mg, small packs: approximately AUD 30 to 140

Indicative non-subsidised costs for backup options: albendazole courses around AUD 15 to 70, mebendazole about AUD 10 to 50, topical permethrin approximately AUD 20 to 60. If a treatment is listed on the PBS you will generally pay a lower out of pocket charge. Telehealth or private clinic consultation fees will add to total expenses.

Australian law and regulation a sweeping overview of the material

• Schedule status: Ivermectin is a Schedule 4 prescription-only medicine within Australia. A valid prescription issued by an authorised prescriber is required to obtain it from a pharmacy.
• Regulation: The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) oversees medicine quality, safety and advertising. Promotion of prescription medicines to the public is restricted.
• Appropriate use: Use ivermectin only for signs indicating and at doses recommended by your prescriber. Off-label use should be supervised by an experienced clinician.
• Personal importation: Under the TGA Personal Importation Scheme limited amounts of prescription medicines may be imported for personal use with a prescription, subject to TGA and Australian Border Force rules.
• Pharmacy advice: In Australia pharmacists can provide advice on dosing, the study maps how contact and responses evolve over time. and safe disposal but cannot legally supply prescription-only ivermectin without a valid prescription.

For details about prescription subsidies check the PBS website or speak with your prescriber or pharmacist.

FAQs

Is Iverjohn considered an antibiotic?

No. Iverjohn contains ivermectin, an antiparasitic drug. It does not treat bacterial infections.

How quickly does it work?

Response times vary by infection. Some people feel better within a few days while others need follow up testing and possible to achieve repeat treatment. Your prescriber will advise on expected timing and vigilant monitoring.

May I take this with food?

Routine advice is to take ivermectin on an empty stomach with water: at least 30 minutes before eating or about 2 hours after a meal, unless your clinician instructs otherwise.

If someone in my household has scabies, what should we do?

To avoid reinfestation close contacts are often treated simultaneously. Treatment may combine oral ivermectin and topical products such as permethrin. Discuss a household plan in the presence of your clinician. See treatment more options under Alternative drug therapies and Related Drugs.