Ivermectin and Albendazole Tablets Combination Parasite Treatment

What Is Ivermectin And Albendazole Combination?

The Ivermectin and Albendazole combination is a treatment that uses two medicines to fight parasitic infections in humans. This combination helps to clear types of worms and parasites at the same time.

It works better than taking either Ivermectin or Albendazole to treat parasitic infections. In some cases you can get Ivermectin and Albendazole as one tablet that has a fixed dose. This tablet often has 6 mg of Ivermectin and 400 mg of Albendazole.

How Ivermectin And Albendazole Work?

The two drugs attack parasites in completely different ways, ensuring the infection is hit from two angles:

Ivermectin: Also known as The Paralyzer works by targeting the nerve and muscle cells of the parasite. Ivermectin opens channels that let ions flood in. This causes the worm to become paralysed. The worm dies because of this. Ivermectin is really good at killing Ivermectin targets the worms, which are called larval stages. It also kills skin parasites like scabies.

Albendazole:  Also known as The Starver works by stopping parasites from taking in glucose or sugar. Thus, the medicine makes it hard for the parasite to get energy. Without energy the worm gets really weak and eventually dies. Albendazole is very good at getting rid of adult worms that live in the intestines.

Primary Uses:

This combination is the “gold standard” for several specific medical scenarios:

• Lymphatic filariasis
• Whipworm infections
• Scabies
• Head lice
• Strongyloidiasis

Manufacturer:

Pharma companies with their own branded versions manufacture the generic substance Ivermectin after research like-

• Merck and Co– Stromectol
• Sun Pharma– Ivermectin
• Mankind Pharma– vermact
• Ajanta Pharma– Ivrea

Albendazole too is used by drug-manufacturers like-

• Fortune healthcare– Fenbendazole
• API manufacturers– Rakshit drugs, Amgis Lifesciences

Composition:

• Active ingredients: The two active ingredients are the two generic substances, which are Ivermectin or Albendazole in them.
• Inactive ingredients or excipients: These are some more substances present in the medicine, but they do not have any role in the treatment of the infection. It mostly contains binders, fillers, etc.
• Appearance: While Ivermectin comes in 3mg form, white and flat shaped with bevelled flat edge, engraved with MSD and 32, Albendazole comes in round, white to off-white features with engraving of “Z”.

How The Combination Of Ivermectin And Albendazole Works:

Lymphatic Filariasis (Elephantiasis):

The FDA and the WHO have recommended the combination of Ivermectin and Albendazole as a mass drug for curing filariasis.

Ivermectin works well to remove microfilariae which are the larvae from the blood. Albendazole is believed to stop the adult worms from reproducing or kill them.

Stubborn Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STHs):

• Whipworm (Trichuris trichiura): Having Ivermectin and Albendazole combination works much better and treats the infection in more than 95% cases.
• Threadworm (Strongyloides Stercoralis): Albendazole works poorly against threadworms, but Ivermectin is highly effective to treat the condition.

Mixed Parasitic Infections:

In some cases, the patient is infected with both cellular parasites and worms having mixed infection symptoms where Ivermectin and Albendazole combination works best.

Why And When Ivermectin And Albendazole Are Combined:

• Ivermectin and Albendazole targets both infections caused by parasites and worms in your body.
• The two medications work on their own and avoids resistance to each other.
• It is also convenient for the patient to use a single medicine to treat mixed infections.

Onset of action:

Peak plasma concentration

• Ivermectin: The peak concentration reaches within 4 to 5 hours.
• Albendazole: With an empty stomach it becomes effective faster within 2 hours, but after a heavy meal it can take up to 5 hours for maximum concentration.

Initial Action: The first action of the medicine is to paralyse the larvae, parasite or the worms that occur within the first 24 hours.

Parasite Clearance (Days 1–3): After death of the parasite and the worms they are removed from your body with stool.

Combination Dosage For Ivermectin And Albendazole Tablet:

The standard dose for anyone above 18 years is a single medicine with up to 400 mg of Albendazole and 150 to 200 mcg/kg of bodyweight for Ivermectin.

Benefits Of Taking Ivermectin And Albendazole Tablet For Humans

1. Action against both worms and parasites: The best thing about this treatment is that it can get rid of a lot of Parasitic Skin Infections all at once. Albendazole is really good at killing the worms that live in the gut like Roundworms and Hookworms. Ivermectin is better for the baby worms and the parasites that live on the outside of the body like Scabies and Lice. It is also good at getting rid of some tough worms, like Strongyloides.
2. Faster cure: With different modes of action like Ivermectin causing paralysis and Albendazole causing glucose starvation patients can easily get rid of the infection faster.
3. Cost efficient treatment: Using a single medicine with a combined dose of Ivermectin and Albendazole is much cheaper than using two different medicines.
4. Treatment for both internal and external infections: The medicine works well to treat external infections affecting the skin, head and also infections affecting the internal organs like stomach and intestines.

Precautions And Warnings With Ivermectin And Albendazole Tablet For Humans

• Pregnancy: Avoid this medicine, especially during the first few months of pregnancy.
• Breastfeeding: The combination is also not recommended for breastfeeding mothers until the baby is least one week old.
• Avoid use in infants: It is usually an idea to avoid this combination in small children who weigh less than 15 kg.
• Avoid with liver disorders: People with liver conditions should be careful with the combination because both drugs are processed by the liver.

Side Effect And Drug Interactions Of Ivermectin And Albendazole Tablet Combined:

Interaction with Other Medications:

• With anticonvulsants like Carbamazepine, Phenytoin, which may reduce the action of Ivermectin and Albendazole.
• With steroids like Dexamethasone which can increase Albendazole’s concentration in blood causing toxicity.
• Antacids like Cimetidine which can also cause Albendazole toxicity.
• Sedative pills like Clonazepam, Lorazepam, as Ivermectin can affect Gaba system.
• Blood thinners like Warfarin may get less effective increasing the risks of bleeding.

The “Mazzotti Reaction” (Biological Interaction):

This occurs when the immune system reacts with the proteins secreted at the time of lysis of parasites and worms. It can cause a few symptoms like- fever, hives, headache, joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes.

Alcohol Interaction:

Alcohol can increase risks of side effects like headache, drowsiness and fatigue. Plus regular alcohol use can affect liver function reducing the action of the medicine in your body.

When To Avoid Taking Ivermectin And Albendazole Combination?

➯ Weight and Age Constraints:

The minimum bodyweight of a child has to be more than 15 kg. At the time of adminstratio the child’s age must be more than 2 years.

➯ Pre-existing Health Conditions:

Severe Liver Disease: Avoid the medicine if you have disorders like-

• Liver cancer
• Cirrhosis
• Fatty liver
• Hepatic infections

➯ With meningitis:

In this case, the Ivermectin can enter the central nervous system and affect the patient causing coma or even death.

➯ Signs of an Allergic Reaction:

Signs of being allergic include-

• Swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• Sudden difficulty breathing
• Severe skin rashes or blistering

How To Store Ivermectin And Albendazole Tablet?

Store the bottle of the Ivermectin and Albendazole tablet for humans away from the excess humid regions of your house such as the kitchen or the bathroom and avoid keeping it under sunlight.

Where To Buy Ivermectin And Albendazole Tablets In Australia?

In Australia, both the generic drug substances Ivermectin and Albendazole are available as prescription substances. You can easily buy them from pharmacy shops or online web stores. Check out AustraliaRXMeds, which is the No. 1 online licensed pharmacy portal in the country.