Ivermectin: From Nobel Prize to Compounding Uses

When Ivermectin is mentioned, it usually will ignite a fierce debate, but beneath the anecdotes is a fascinating history of a Nobel Prize winning medication that has well-established uses and some misapplied off-label uses. At Allure Compounding Pharmacy, we believe in patients’ right to understandable, science-based, health information. Let’s look into Ivermectin, its evidential uses, its uses on label and not on label, and the importance of your health and wellness professional in these decisions.

A Legacy of Fighting Parasites

The primary use of Ivermectin, approved by the FDA, is as an extremely useful treatment antiparasitic. The worldwide relevance of Ivermectin’s discovery was so deemed to the health of a global population, it was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2015. As an antiparasitic treatment, Ivermectin has been utilized for decades as the basis of treatment for devastating neglected tropical disease. Ivermectin is approved for treating parasitic worms, specifically those causing strongyloidiasis and onchocerciasis, otherwise known as river blindness. Ivermectin is also an extremely useful FDA approved topical agent approved for the treatment of rosacea which reduces bumps and inflammation associated with the condition.

The World of Off-Label Use

In the medical field, “off-label” indicates a doctor prescribes a medication approved by the FDA for a use, dose, or population that the drug package insert does not state, and this is a characteristic and legal practice when supported by research and physician experience. 

One of the more common and accepted off-label uses of Ivermectin is for the treatment of scabies, especially severe or crusted cases.  When standard topical lotions have failed, doctors may prescribe oral Ivermectin to kill the mites from the inside. 

Research has also examined Ivermectin potential in other areas related to its unique mechanisms and anti-inflammatory properties. There is some early stage, pre-clinical investigation into the effects of this drug on certain viruses and cancers when using laboratory animal studies under controlled conditions. However, it is a key to realize that this preliminary research is a long distance from proven treatments for patients. These potential applications are still part of the scientific inquiry and not a standard of medical acceptance. 

Addressing Controversy and Misinformation 

The use of Ivermectin became a divisive issue regarding COVID-19. Although a tremendous amount of attention was given to the use of the drug, a large amount of data from well-designed clinical trials showed that Ivermectin is not an effective treatment for COVID-19. Consequently, leading international health organizations such as the FDA and WHO recommend against the use of Ivermectin to treat COVID-19. This demonstrates the important principle that the dose, and indication, makes the medicine.

Highly concentrated veterinary formulations of Ivermectin are dangerously unsafe and can lead to significant poisoning. Ivermectin, for any indication, can be safe when prescribed in its human formulation and managed by a physician.

The Role of Personalized Compounding

So, how does a compounding pharmacy like Allure fit in? Although we do not advocate for off-label usage, we aim to develop custom solutions. For example, a physician may feel it is valuable to suggest a compounded topical Ivermectin formulation depending on the patient’s skin type ? and in combination with other soothing agents, such as metronidazole or azelaic acid to use on a patient with difficult to treat rosacea. By utilizing two products in combination, the clinic can decrease irritation, while maximizing efficacy based on idiosyncratic variations in the patient’s skin type. 

A Tool in the Toolbox, Not a Cure-All

Ivermectin is a strong, and life-saving medication to use for a valid FDA indication. When thinking of actual off-label uses, the value of healthy skepticism based on evidence is not as warranted, although there can often be a long and tortuous path from an exciting laboratory finding, to the eventual approval of a commercial therapy.

Your health is too valuable to utilize unverified or sensationalized sources of information. Always have a conversation with your health care provider prior to utilizing medications. And if your recommended treatment plan is to include a compounded, customized medication, you can trust Allure Compounding Pharmacy to deliver an accurate and high-quality product.

The FDA does not review any compounded drugs to evaluate their safety, effectiveness, or quality before they reach patients.