Ivermectin: Uses, Counterfeits and the importance of Ivermectin Analysis

Ivermectin is a well-known active ingredient in human and veterinary medicine. Used for several decades, it has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in the treatment of certain parasitic infections. However, its growing notoriety, amplified by misuse and extensive media coverage in recent years, has led to the emergence of a parallel market and numerous counterfeits. In this context, the analysis of ivermectin has become an indispensable tool for ensuring the quality and safety of medicines.

What is ivermectin?

Ivermectin belongs to the family of antiparasitic drugs, more specifically to anthelmintics and external antiparasitics. Chemically, it belongs to the avermectin family, macrocyclic compounds derived from the fermentation of Streptomyces avermitilis.

Its mechanism of action is based on interaction with glutamate-dependent chloride channels present in the nervous system of parasites, causing paralysis and death. This mechanism explains its high efficacy but also the need for strictly controlled use in humans.

What are the recognised therapeutic uses of ivermectin?

In human medicine, ivermectin is mainly used for the treatment of:

• Onchocerciasis (river blindness),
• Strongyloidiasis,
• Certain skin parasitic diseases such as scabies,
• Lice infestations.

It is included in the World Health Organisation (WHO) list of essential medicines for certain specific indications.

What are the usual dosages for ivermectin?

The dosage of ivermectin depends strictly on the medical indication, the patient's weight and the pharmaceutical form. As a general rule, it is administered as a single dose or over a short period of time, often expressed in micrograms per kilogram of body weight.

Any use outside these parameters, without medical prescription or supervision, exposes you to significant risks.

Risks of counterfeiting and the need for ivermectin analysis

A real and growing risk of counterfeiting

The popularity of ivermectin has led to an explosion in online sales, particularly on unauthorised websites. Many products advertised as containing ivermectin are in fact:

• Under-dosed,
• Over-dosed (very rare),
• Completely lacking in active ingredient,
• Containing another undeclared active ingredient,
• Contaminated with undeclared substances.

These medicines, often purchased outside legal channels (authorised physical or online pharmacies), are not subject to any regulatory control.

The importance of verifying compliance

When a medicine has not been purchased through official channels, it is essential to verify its compliance. Ivermectin analysis can confirm:

• The actual presence of the active ingredient,
• Its exact concentration,
• The absence of impurities or hazardous substances.

Liquid chromatography coupled with UV-Visible detection for the analysis of ivermectin

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with UV-Visible detection is a standard analytical technique for the analysis of ivermectin.

It offers several major advantages:

• Excellent sensitivity, suitable for concentrations found in medicines.
• High specificity, enabling ivermectin to be distinguished from other compounds.
• Accurate quantification, essential for detecting under- or over-dosing.
• Detection of impurities, often present in counterfeit products.

This method is currently the most reliable for performing an analysis of Ivermectin in accordance with scientific standards and drug quality control.

What are the health risks associated with consuming non-compliant ivermectin?

The consumption of non-compliant or counterfeit ivermectin exposes users to specific and sometimes serious health risks:

• Therapeutic ineffectiveness, with persistence or worsening of the parasitic infection,
• Neurological toxicity, particularly in cases of overdose,
• Severe adverse effects: digestive disorders, dizziness, convulsions,
• Dangerous drug interactions, impossible to anticipate in the absence of quality control.

In certain vulnerable populations (children, the elderly, patients with chronic illnesses), these risks are even greater.

In conclusion, ivermectin is a valuable drug when used in a strictly medical setting. However, the proliferation of products sold on the Internet outside legal channels has significantly increased the risk of counterfeiting. In this context, the analysis of ivermectin by liquid chromatography coupled with UV-Visible detection is an essential step in ensuring the quality, compliance and safety of medicines.

Having a suspicious medicine analysed means protecting your health and actively participating in the fight against counterfeit medicines.