Role of Ivermectin in animal

PRESENTER: MANOJ KARKI

B V S C & A H ( N E PA L )
 Agenda

Define Ivermectin
Mechanism of Ivermectin
Use of Ivermectin
Toxicity of Ivermectin
 Ivermectin

Ivermectin is probably one of the most widely used anti

parasite drugs world wide and its efficacy is well
established.

 ivermectin is a mixture of two chemically modified

avermectin that contain at least 80% of dihydroavermectin
B1a and 20% of dihydroavermectin B1b. (B.K, Roy)

It is highly lipophilic substance that dissolve in most

organic solvent but in partially insoluble in water.
Ivermectin was first marketed in 1981 by Merck sharp
and Dohme as in anti parasite agent and it remain the
leading worldwide, anti parasite agent for livestock.
(steel,1993)

Ivermectin is highly active against a wide spectrum of

nematode species, including most larvae and adult forms.

It is also highly effective against many arthropod parasite

of domestic animal.
All important gastrointestinal and lung nematode are
susceptible to the drug, including sensitive mites, tick,
biting flies, and parasitic dipteran larvae. (Campbell and
Benz, 1984)

In dog, ivermectin is also active against developing larvae

of Dirofilaria immits and is used in heartworm
prophylaxis.
 Pathophysiology

Ivermectin and other similarly acting drug act as GABA

agonist, at the neuromuscular junction in the peripheral
nervous system of nematode and arthropod parasite.

GABA (gamma amino butyric acid ) is inhibitory

neurotransmitter.

In mammals, GABA containing neurons, are limited to

the CNS where the BBB (blood, brain, barrier) protect
them from exposure to many drugs, including ivermectin.
Agoinst: it is a chemical that bind to receptor and activate
the receptor to produce biological response.

Antagonist: it is a chemical that block the action of

agonist and it cause opposite action to that action.

Ivermectin is not recommended for use in puppies less than

6 week old.
 Mechanism of action (Ivermectin)

Ivermectin inhibit the motility and thereby caused paralysis of worms.

Ivermectin enhance the release of gamma amino butyric acid (GABA)

acts pre synaptic neuron.

GABA act as inhibitory neurotransmitter and block the post synaptic

stimulation of the adjacent neuron in nematodes or the muscle fiber in
arthropod.

By stimulating the release of GABA, ivermectin caused paralysis of

parasite and even death.
As liver fluke and tapeworm do not use GABA as a
peripheral nerve transmission, ivermectin is ineffective
against these parasite.

It is safer to pregnant animal

Dose rate:
Cattle: 0.2 mg/kg S/C
Sheep: 0.2 mg/kg orally
Horse: 0.2 mg/kg orally or I/M
 Ivermectin used

In cattle, Ivermectin is approved for use in control of

gastrointestinal roundworm (adult and 4 th stage larva),
lungworms (adult and 4th stage larva), cattle grubs (parasitic
stage), sucking lice, mites (scabies).

In dog, Ivermectin is also active against developing larvae of

Dirofilaria immits and is used in Heartworm prophylaxis.

It is used largely for nematode control in cattle, horse, pig, and
dog and become the standard for control of ecto parasite
disease , scabies, demodex..
 Toxicity

Some collie type breed of dog have a genetic mutation that

cause them to develop neurotoxicity at low doses.
Young animal are more susceptible to toxicity because
their BBB is not fully developed.
Signs:
 toxicity is to the CNS with other system affected
secondarily, ataxia, tremor, seizure, coma and death

Exposure can also occur from drugs eating feces of treated

large animal because the drug is eliminated in the feces.
Ivermectin also used for human beings. Ivermectin has
valuable public health application for controlling scabies
and filariasis through it effect on transmission.
In control program for filariasis, Ivermectin is the drug of
choice.
 Reference:

Roy,B.K., 2015. veterinary pharmacology and toxicology.

(528)
Steel,J.W., 1993. pharmacology and metabolism of
ivermectin in livestock. Veterinary parasitology 48,(45-47)
Prieto,A.C., 2009. the pharmacokinetic and metabolism of
ivermectin in domestic animal species. Veterinary journal
179 (25-37)
Campbell,W.C., Benz,G.W., 1984. ivermectin a review of
efficacy and safety. Journal veterinary pharmacology and
therapeutics 7 (1-16)