Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Stromectol
What is STROMECTOL® used for?
STROMECTOL® is used to treat infections caused by some parasites (worms).
How does STROMECTOL® work?
STROMECTOL® works by killing the developing worms.
What are the ingredients in STROMECTOL®?
Medicinal ingredient: ivermectin
Non-medicinal ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinized starch, butylhydroxyanisol, citric acid and magnesium stearate.
STROMECTOL® comes in the following dosage forms:
Tablets, 3 mg
Do not use STROMECTOL® if:
- you are allergic (hypersensitive) to ivermectin or any of the other ingredients of STROMECTOL®.
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take STROMECTOL®. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- Live or have spent time in parts of Africa. Certain infections from this area, such as “Loa Loa” or “eye-worm”, may cause side effects while taking STROMECTOL®. See “What are possible side effects from using STROMECTOL®?”, below.
- Have a weak immune system. In this case, your doctor may order tests and request stool samples to monitor your infection.
Are pregnant or might become pregnant
- Are breast-feeding or intend to breast-feed, STROMECTOL® is passed into breast milk.
Other warnings you should know about:
It is important to take STROMECTOL® as recommended by your doctor. Too much STROMECTOL® might decrease your ability to remain awake, aware, and oriented and could lead into a coma.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
The following may interact with STROMECTOL®:
- warfarin
How to take STROMECTOL®:
- Always take STROMECTOL® exactly as your doctor has told you.
Take the tablets by mouth with water on an empty stomach.
Usual dose:
The dose depends on your illness and your weight.
For Strongyloidiasis: One dose of 0.2 mg per kg of body weight.
For Onchocerciasis: 0.15 mg per kg of body weight every 3 – 12 months.
Overdose:
| If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have taken too much STROMECTOL®, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms. |
Missed Dose:
STROMECTOL® is a single dose treatment. If you did not take your dose at the prescribed time, take it as soon as possible with water on an empty stomach.
What are possible side effects from using STROMECTOL®?
These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking STROMECTOL®. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.
Side effects:
- Changes in some laboratory tests (increase of liver enzymes, increase of bilirubin in blood, increase of eosinophils)
- Low blood pressure (hypotension). You may feel dizzy or light-headed when standing up
- Worsening of asthma
- Decreased alertness including coma.
The side effects below depend on what you are taking STROMECTOL® for. They also depend on whether you have any other infections.
People with intestinal strongyloidiasis (anguillulosis) may have the following side effects:
- feeling unusually weak
- loss of appetite, stomach pain, constipation or diarrhoea
- feeling dizzy
- shaking or tremors.
People with a heavy infection of the worm “Loa loa” may have the following side effects:
- abnormal brain function
- neck and back pain
- bleeding in the whites of your eyes
- loss of control of your bladder or your bowels
- difficulty standing or walking
- mental status changes
- not responding to other people or going into a coma.
- seizure
People infected with the worm “Onchocerca volvulus” which causes river blindness may have the following side effects:
- joint or muscle pains
- swelling of lymph nodes
- swelling, especially of the face, hands, ankles or feet
- fast heart rate
- changes to your vision and other eye problems such as infection, redness or unusual feelings
- bleeding in the whites of your eyes or swelling of your eye lids
- headache
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
| NOT KNOWN | |||
Allergic Reaction with symptoms of:
| x | ||
| VERY RARE | |||
Stevens-Johnson syndrome with symptoms of:
| x | ||
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help |
|---|
| Only if severe | In all cases |
|---|---|
| |
Liver problems (hepatitis) with symptoms of:
| |
| x | |
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice. |
Storage:
Store at 15-30°C.
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about STROMECTOL®:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html; the manufacturer’s website www.merck.ca, or by calling 1-800-567-2594.
Last Revised October 21, 2021
® Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. Used under license.
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