Wednesday, 18 May 2011

Nature is a great mother of all lives that exists on the planet Earth. Earth is a huge planet, widely spread in every direction where every kind of organisms dwell at some or the other place. The life cycle is a period where all generation of species succeed by reproducing themselves. Some species prove boon to the human life while some are curse. These dangerous species affect the human life so wickedly that it may lead to death. One of the dangerous species is parasitical worms which breed in the fast-flowing rivers. River blindness is caused by a parasitical worm known as ‘Onchocerca Volvulus'.

Around 40 million or more people around the globe are infected with river blindness (Onchocerciasis). This disease is highly observed in the central and the western parts of Africa. Impact of this disease has turned lives in Africa to worse. River Blindness causes blindness, low vision and even skin diseases causing severe rashes and itching which in future can lead to skin cancer. If the any child is infected at the birth, it is common that the child will turn blind by the time the he / she reaches his / her 40s.

As always science has come up with a very effective solution to cope up with this problem. Stromectol (Ivermectin) is the generic drug which treats river blindness, intestinal threadworms and certain infections caused by the parasite roundworms. It belongs to the class of semi synthetic anthelmintic medication which is derived from avermectin, which is a broad ranging anti-parasitic agent to treat worm infections. Ivermectin is used to treat diseases like Enterobiasis, Ascariasis, Strongyloidiasis, Onchorcerciasis, Trichuriasis etc. It can also help us to get rid of lice and mites.

Uses:

Ivermectin is used to treat infections due to certain parasites.

How to Use:

Stromectol is an oral medication. Consult your doctor or pharmacists to know how to take it exactly. Wash your hands clean before and after taking the medicine. Stromectol has to be taken with water on an empty stomach. It is usually a one time dose.

In case of Onchocerciasis (River Blindness), it is taken in a particular way. A single dose of Stromectol (Ivermectin) / Kg of body weight are given. And for Strongyloidiasis, a dose of 200mcg of Stromectol (Ivermectin) / body weight is administered.

Side Effects:

Some side effects while using Stromectol medication can be observed such as – Abnormal sensation in eye and eyelids, keratitis (inflamed cornea), edema, conjunctivitis, worse bronchial asthma, fainting, fatigue, fever, seizures, difficulty in breathing, severe dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, headaches, enlargement/tenderness of the lymph nodes, hepatitis, choroiditis (Swelling and irritation in the center of the eye), urticarial rash, pruritus. Many other side effects can also be seen other than listed above. If any of the side effect appear bothersome to you, please seek immediate medical attention and get it resolved.

Note: 

Ivermectin does not readily cross the blood-brain barrier in human beings which is very beneficial for the human life.

Compounds of this anti-parasitic agent work by specific mechanism. They bind themselves to glutamate-gated chloride ion channels, which increase the permeability of the cell membrane to chloride ions with hyperpolarizaiton of the nerve/muscle cell, which results in paralyzing and ultimately killing the parasites that attacks the human body.

Ivermectin is used to treat many ailments such as - Onchocerciasis (River Blindness), Enterobiasis, Trichuriasis and Ascariasis.

Do not share this medication with others. Laboratory and/or medical tests e.g. stool examinations may be performed to monitor your progress and for side effects. Keep all medical appointments.

Precautions: 

Following precautions must be taken while using generic Stromectol medication:

1. Inform your doctor immediately, if you have been living or have traveled to the central and western part of Africa. If you have been exposed to the Loa-Loa or trypanosomiasis parasites, it could interfere with Stromectol (Ivermectin) treatment, which can result into fatal effects on brain.

2. Stromectol (Ivermectin) can influence some lab results, so lab assistants and doctor should be informed that you are consuming Stromectol.

3. Never take Stromectol without doctor's permission and avoid alcohol beverages strictly during the treatment.

4. Discuss complete medical history with your doctor. Let him know, if you have a brain condition that could alter the blood-brain barrier or epilepsy.

5. If you are consuming some other medicines, let your doctor be aware of this. If you have any allergies of certain drugs, feel free to share it with the doctor.

6. Do not share your medicine with others, even if they are suffering from the same condition.

7. Women planning to conceive, pregnant women and nursing mothers should consult their doctor or gynecologists before consuming this medicine.

8. HIV patients should repeat their courses to get rid of the ailments but strictly by consulting their doctors.

9. If the patient is suffering from Onchocerciasis (River Blindness), the doctor may prescribe some other medicine such as corticosteroid [something like cortisone] to get rid of the inflammation caused by the worms. So, you have to take the advised medicine along with Stromectol (Ivermectin).

10. Stromectol may cause changes in the body metabolism. So regular check ups, blood and stool tests should be done as opined by the doctor.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription drugs you may use. This product can affect the results of certain lab tests e.g. liver. Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know you have used this drug. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. It may also interact with: Valporic Acid, Benzodiazepines, Barbiturates, Sodium Oxybate etc.

Do not drink alcohol during treatment with ivermectin, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Ivermectin is best taken as a single dose with a full glass 8 ounces of water on an empty stomach 1 hour before breakfast, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. To help clear up your infection, take this medicine exactly as directed.