Iverzine is used in the treatment of certain worm infections. It is used to treat river blindness (onchocerciasis) and a certain type of diarrhea (strongyloidiasis). It may also be used for some other kinds of worm infections.
Iverzine appears to work by paralyzing and then killing the offspring of adult worms. It may also slow down the rate at which adult worms reproduce. This results in fewer worms in the skin, blood, and eyes.
Iverzine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, Iverzine is used in certain patients with the following medical condition:
Bancroft's filariasis
Scabies
Iverzine indications
An indication is a term used for the list of condition or symptom or illness for which the medicine is prescribed or used by the patient. For example, acetaminophen or paracetamol is used for fever by the patient, or the doctor prescribes it for a headache or body pains. Now fever, headache and body pains are the indications of paracetamol. A patient should be aware of the indications of medications used for common conditions because they can be taken over the counter in the pharmacy meaning without prescription by the Physician.
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Iverzine (Iverzine) is indicated for the treatment of the following infections:
Strongyloidiasis of the intestinal tract. Iverzine (Iverzine) is indicated for the treatment of intestinal (i.e., nondisseminated) strongyloidiasis due to the nematode parasite Strongyloides stercoralis.
This indication is based on clinical studies of both comparative and open-label designs, in which 64-100% of infected patients were cured following a single 200-mcg/kg dose of Iverzine.
Onchocerciasis. Iverzine (Iverzine) is indicated for the treatment of onchocerciasis due to the nematode parasite Onchocerca volvulus.
This indication is based on randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled and comparative studies conducted in 1427 patients in onchocerciasis-endemic areas of West Africa. The comparative studies used diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC-C).
NOTE: Iverzine (Iverzine) has no activity against adult Onchocerca volvulus parasites. The adult parasites reside in subcutaneous nodules which are infrequently palpable. Surgical excision of these nodules (nodulectomy) may be considered in the management of patients with onchocerciasis, since this procedure will eliminate the microfilariae-producing adult parasites.
How should I use Iverzine?
Use Iverzine lotion as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
An extra patient leaflet and instructions for use is available with Iverzine lotion. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
Be sure you understand how to use Iverzine lotion. Ask your health care provider if you have questions or if you are unsure how to use it.
If the patient is a child, an adult should apply Iverzine lotion.
Your hair and scalp should be completely dry before you apply Iverzine lotion.
Apply Iverzine lotion directly to dry hair, starting with the hair closest to the scalp. Work it outward, toward the ends of your hair. Use enough medicine to completely cover the hair and scalp (up to 1 tube).
Rub Iverzine lotion throughout your hair. Be sure that each hair is coated with medicine from the scalp to the tip.
After Iverzine lotion is applied, leave it on your hair and scalp for 10 minutes (use a timer or clock).
After 10 minutes, completely rinse Iverzine lotion using only water.
Wash your hands immediately after using Iverzine lotion.
Iverzine lotion is for a single use only. Throw away the tube and any unused medicine out of reach of children and away from pets.
Only one dose of Iverzine lotion is required. If you forget to use Iverzine lotion, use it as soon as you remember.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Iverzine lotion.
Uses of Iverzine in details
There are specific as well as general uses of a drug or medicine. A medicine can be used to prevent a disease, treat a disease over a period or cure a disease. It can also be used to treat the particular symptom of the disease. The drug use depends on the form the patient takes it. It may be more useful in injection form or sometimes in tablet form. The drug can be used for a single troubling symptom or a life-threatening condition. While some medications can be stopped after few days, some drugs need to be continued for prolonged period to get the benefit from it.
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Use: Labeled Indications
Onchocerciasis: Treatment of onchocerciasis due to the immature form of Onchocerca volvulus.
Limitations of use: Iverzine has no activity against adult Onchocerca volvulus parasites. The adult parasites reside in subcutaneous nodules which are infrequently palpable. Surgical excision may be considered as removal of these nodules will eliminate the microfilariae-producing adult parasites.
Strongyloidiasis, intestinal: Treatment of intestinal (eg, nondisseminated) strongyloidiasis due to Strongyloides stercoralis.
Off Label Uses
Ascariasis
Data from two clinical trials in patients with intestinal helminths supports the use of Iverzine in the treatment of Ascaris lumbricoides infection. Additional trials may be necessary to further define the role of Iverzine in this condition.
Iverzine description
Iverzine is a broad-spectrum anti-parasite medication. It was first marketed under the name Iverzine® and used against worms (except tapeworms), but, in 2012, it was approved for the topical treatment of head lice infestations in patients 6 months of age and older, and marketed under the name Sklice™ as well. Iverzine is mainly used in humans in the treatment of onchocerciasis, but is also effective against other worm infestations (such as strongyloidiasis, ascariasis, trichuriasis and enterobiasis).
Iverzine dosage
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Strongyloidiasis
The recommended dosage of Iverzine (Iverzine) for the treatment of strongyloidiasis is a single oral dose designed to provide approximately 200 mcg of Iverzine per kg of body weight. See Table 1 for dosage guidelines. Patients should take tablets on an empty stomach with water. In general, additional doses are not necessary. However, follow-up stool examinations should be performed to verify eradication of infection.
Table 1: Dosage Guidelines for Iverzine (Iverzine) for Strongyloidiasis
Body Weight (kg)
Single
Oral Dose
Number of 3-mg Tablets
15-24
1 tablet
25-35
2 tablets
36-50
3 tablets
51-65
4 tablets
66-79
5 tablets
≥ 80
200 mcg/kg
Onchocerciasis
The recommended dosage of Iverzine (Iverzine) for the treatment of onchocerciasis is a single oral dose designed to provide approximately 150 mcg of Iverzine per kg of body weight. See Table 2 for dosage guidelines. Patients should take tablets on an empty stomach with water. In mass distribution campaigns in international treatment programs, the most commonly used dose interval is 12 months. For the treatment of individual patients, retreatment may be considered at intervals as short as 3 months.
Table 2: Dosage Guidelines for Iverzine (Iverzine) for Onchocerciasis
Body Weight (kg)
Single
Oral Dose
Number of 3-mg Tablets
15-25
1 tablet
26-44
2 tablets
45-64
3 tablets
65-84
4 tablets
≥ 85
150 mcg/kg
How supplied
No. 8495 — Tablets Iverzine (Iverzine) 3 mg are white, round, flat, bevel-edged tablets coded MSD on one side and 32 on the other side. They are supplied as follows:
With simultaneous use of Iverzine Ind-Swift with theophylline, aminophylline, caffeine, there is an increase in their concentration in blood plasma and thus increases the risk of toxic effects.
Erythromycin increases the concentrations of cyclosporine in the blood plasma and may increase the risk of nephrotoxicity.
Drugs that block tubular secretion prolongs T1/2 of erythromycin.
Incompatible with lincomycin, clindamycin and chloramphenicol (antagonism).
Iverzine Ind-Swift reduces the bactericidal action of beta-lactam antibiotics (penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems).
With simultaneous use of erythromycin increases the concentration of theophylline.
At the same time receiving chemotherapy, which is carried metabolism in the liver (carbamazepine, valproic acid, hexobarbital, phenytoin, alfentanil, dizopiramid, lovastatin, bromocriptine), may increase the concentration of these drugs in plasma (an inhibitor of microsomal liver enzymes).
IV injection of erythromycin increases the effects of ethanol (accelerating gastric emptying and decrease the duration of alcohol dehydrogenase in the gastric mucosa).
Erythromycin reduces the clearance of triazolam and midazolam and therefore may increase the pharmacological effects of benzodiazepines.
At the same time taking with terfenadine or astemizole may develop arrhythmias (fibrillation and ventricular flutter, ventricular tachycardia, until death); with dihydroergotamine or non hydrated ergot alkaloids may vasoconstriction to spasm, dysesthesia.
With simultaneous application Iverzine Ind-Swift slows elimination (increases the effect) of methylprednisolone, felodipine and anticoagulants of cumarine series.
In a joint appointment with lovastatin increased rhabdomyolysis.
Erythromycin increases the bioavailability of digoxin.
Erythromycin reduces the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives.
In four clinical studies involving a total of 109 patients given either one or two doses of 170 to 200 mcg/kg of Iverzine (Iverzine), the following adverse reactions were reported as possibly, probably, or definitely related to Iverzine (Iverzine) :
Body as a Whole: asthenia/fatigue (0.9%), abdominal pain (0.9%)
Skin: pruritus (2.8%), rash (0.9%), and urticaria (0.9%).
In comparative trials, patients treated with Iverzine (Iverzine) experienced more abdominal distention and chest discomfort than patients treated with albendazole. However, Iverzine (Iverzine) was better tolerated than thiabendazole in comparative studies involving 37 patients treated with thiabendazole.
The Mazzotti-type and ophthalmologic reactions associated with the treatment of onchocerciasis or the disease itself would not be expected to occur in strongyloidiasis patients treated with Iverzine (Iverzine).
Laboratory Test Findings
In clinical trials involving 109 patients given either one or two doses of 170 to 200 mcg/kg Iverzine (Iverzine), the following laboratory abnormalities were seen regardless of drug relationship: elevation in ALT and/or AST (2%), decrease in leukocyte count (3%). Leukopenia and anemia were seen in one patient.
Onchocerciasis
In clinical trials involving 963 adult patients treated with 100 to 200 mcg/kg Iverzine (Iverzine), worsening of the following Mazzotti reactions during the first 4 days post-treatment were reported: arthralgia/synovitis (9.3%), axillary lymph node enlargement and tenderness (11.0% and 4.4%, respectively), cervical lymph node enlargement and tenderness (5.3% and 1.2%, respectively), inguinal lymph node enlargement and tenderness (12.6% and 13.9%, respectively), other lymph node enlargement and tenderness (3.0% and 1.9%, respectively), pruritus (27.5%), skin involvement including edema, papular and pustular or frank urticarial rash (22.7%), and fever (22.6%).
In clinical trials, ophthalmological conditions were examined in 963 adult patients before treatment, at day 3, and months 3 and 6 after treatment with 100 to 200 mcg/kg Iverzine (Iverzine). Changes observed were primarily deterioration from baseline 3 days post-treatment. Most changes either returned to baseline condition or improved over baseline severity at the month 3 and 6 visits. The percentages of patients with worsening of the following conditions at day 3, month 3 and 6, respectively, were: limbitis: 5.5%, 4.8%, and 3.5% and punctate opacity: 1.8%, 1.8%, and 1.4%. The corresponding percentages for patients treated with placebo were: limbitis: 6.2%, 9.9%, and 9.4% and punctate opacity: 2.0%, 6.4%, and 7.2%.
In clinical trials involving 963 adult patients who received 100 to 200 mcg/kg Iverzine (Iverzine), the following clinical adverse reactions were reported as possibly, probably, or definitely related to the drug in ≥ 1% of the patients: facial edema (1.2%), peripheral edema (3.2%), orthostatic hypotension (1.1%), and tachycardia (3.5%). Drug-related headache and myalgia occurred in < 1% of patients (0.2% and 0.4%, respectively). However, these were the most common adverse experiences reported overall during these trials regardless of causality (22.3% and 19.7%, respectively).
A similar safety profile was observed in an open study in pediatric patients ages 6 to 13.
The following ophthalmological side effects do occur due to the disease itself but have also been reported after treatment with Iverzine (Iverzine) : abnormal sensation in the eyes, eyelid edema, anterior uveitis, conjunctivitis, limbitis, keratitis, and chorioretinitis or choroiditis. These have rarely been severe or associated with loss of vision and have generally resolved without corticosteroid treatment.
Laboratory Test Findings
In controlled clinical trials, the following laboratory adverse experiences were reported as possibly, probably, or definitely related to the drug in ≥ 1% of the patients: eosinophilia (3%) and hemoglobin increase (1%).
Post-Marketing Experience
The following adverse reactions have been reported since the drug was registered overseas:
Onchocerciasis
Conjunctival hemorrhage
All Indications
Hypotension (mainly orthostatic hypotension), worsening of bronchial asthma, toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, seizures, hepatitis, elevation of liver enzymes, and elevation of bilirubin.
Before taking Iverzine, tell your doctor about any other medical conditions that you have, especially liver disease. If you have liver problems, you may not be able to use Iverzine, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
Treatment with Iverzine usually involves taking a single dose, which should be taken on an empty stomach with a full glass of water.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, a sample of your stool (bowel movement) will need to be checked on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of Iverzine.
You may need to be retreated with Iverzine several months to a year after your single dose.
Call your doctor at once if you have any problems with your eyes or your vision.
The results of a survey conducted on ndrugs.com for Iverzine are given in detail below. The results of the survey conducted are based on the impressions and views of the website users and consumers taking Iverzine. We implore you to kindly base your medical condition or therapeutic choices on the result or test conducted by a physician or licensed medical practitioners.
User reports
2 consumers reported useful
Was the Iverzine drug useful in terms of decreasing the symptom or the disease? According to the reports released by ndrugs.com website users, the below mentioned percentages of users say the drug is useful / not useful to them in decreasing their symptoms/disease. The usefulness of the drug depends on many factors, like severity of the disease, perception of symptom, or disease by the patient, brand name used [matters only to a certain extent], other associated conditions of the patient. If the drug is not effective or useful in your case, you need to meet the doctor to get re-evaluated about your symptoms/disease, and he will prescribe an alternative drug.
Users
%
Useful
2
100.0%
Consumer reported price estimates
No survey data has been collected yet
2 consumers reported time for results
To what extent do I have to use Iverzine before I begin to see changes in my health conditions? As part of the reports released by ndrugs.com website users, it takes 3 days and a few days before you notice an improvement in your health conditions. Please note, it doesn't mean you will start to notice such health improvement in the same time frame as other users. There are many factors to consider, and we implore you to visit your doctor to know how long before you can see improvements in your health while taking Iverzine. To get the time effectiveness of using Iverzine drug by other patients, please click here.
