Side-effects of ivermectin in treatment of onchocerciasis.
In a prospective study to determine the tolerance for and safety of ivermectin therapy for onchocerciasis in a hyperendemic area in Sierra Leone, 28 (32%) of 87 patients had adverse reactions that required treatment with acetylsalicylic acid and antihistamines, but none of the observed adverse reactions were considered life-threatening. A significant relation was found between the frequency and severity of side-effects and the degree of parasite infestation, as quantified by the skin-snip counts. Free administration of ivermectin to severely infected onchocerciasis patients is not recommended without some form of medical supervision.
Rothova
A
A
Department of Ophthalmo-immunology, Netherlands Ophthalmic Research Institute, Amsterdam.
van der Lelij
A
A
Stilma
J S
JS
Wilson
W R
WR
Barbe
R F
RF
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001766:Blindness / Q000517:prevention & control; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007559:Ivermectin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008842:Microfilariae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009855:Onchocerciasis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012867:Skin / Q000469:parasitology
D007559:Ivermectin