Mectizan - Ivermectin

Ivermectin (Mectizan, Stromectol) is the primary treatment for filarial nematode infections (onchocerciasis) that invade ocular tissues and cause loss of vision (river blindness). Ivermectin may also be used in filarial infections in other tissues (lymphatics, skin). This drug is a secondary agent for treating intestinal nematodes such as strongyloidosis. 

Ivermectin appears to promote the passage of Loa loa microfilaria into the cerebrospinal fluid, with a maximum after 3-5 days, followed by an intense allergic reaction to the dying microfilaria. The Mectizan Expert Committee defined a definite case of Loa loa encephalopathy related to ivermectin as having to satisfy two criteria ... 

Kennedy MH, Bertocchi I, Hopkins AD, Meredith SE. The effect of 5 years of annual treatment with ivermectin (Mectizan) on the prevalence and morbidity of onchocerciasis in the village of Garni in the Central African Republic. Ann Trop Med Parasitol 2002 96(3) 297-307. 

Analogous to the derivation of Synercid from a veterinary antibiotic, another famous example of the use of a modified veterinary product in man as an antiparasitic is the oral use of ivermectin (Mectizan, Stromectol) (42a (80%), 42b (20%) Figure 9) in the treatment of strongyloidiasis, onchocerciasis (river blindness), and for the treatment of filariasis. In addition to these uses (predominately in Africa), in 2006 Banyu received approval of the product in Japan for the treatment of scabies. ... 

Single-dose ivermectin greatly reduces microfilarial concentration. An estimated 300 million Africans are at risk of lymphatic filariasis. Merck plans to donate ivermectin (Mectizan) for the disease through the same system successfully established for the treatment of onchocerciasis. 

Ivermectin. 22,23-Dihydroabamectin 22,23-dihydroavermectin B, 22,23-dihydro C-076B, MK-933 Cardomec Eqvalan Heartgard 30 Ivomec Mectizan Zimecterin. Semi-synthetic deriv of abamectin, q. v.. one of the avermectins, q.v Ivermectin contains at least 80% of... 

Ivermectin (Mectizan) broad-spectrum antiparasitic drug PO 200 ug/kg/ldose... 

Ivermectin (MK-933, mectizan, ivomec). I. is a mixture of two very similar macrolide antibiotics, that can be prepared semisynthetically from avermectins. 

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