Description
Same active ingredient (ivermectin) as Stromectol®, the US brand. Iverheal 12 mg is an Indian brand, made and licensed in India.
About Iverheal 12 mg Tablets
Iverheal 12 mg is a prescription tablet containing 12 mg of ivermectin, made by Healing Pharma in India, used for parasitic infections including scabies, intestinal strongyloidiasis and filarial infections such as river blindness. It is the highest strength of Iverheal. A single tablet supplies the usual 200 microgram per kilogram dose for an adult weighing about 132 lb (60 kg), so many adults need only one or two tablets per dose. As an Indian brand, it is not licensed in the US, the UK or the EU.
How does ivermectin kill scabies mites?
The scabies mite burrows into the top layer of the skin to lay its eggs. Ivermectin reaches the skin through the bloodstream and paralyzes the mites by opening chloride channels in their nerves and muscles. It does not reliably kill eggs, which is why a second dose is timed for after they hatch.
How is it used for scabies?
Oral ivermectin is licensed for scabies in some countries, and US doctors prescribe it off-label, especially when creams are impractical or have not worked. A typical plan looks like this:
- A single dose of about 200 micrograms per kilogram, swallowed with water on an empty stomach.
- A second identical dose 7 to 14 days later to catch newly hatched mites.
- Everyone in the household and all close contacts treated at the same time, even without symptoms.
- For crusted (Norwegian) scabies, a specialist schedule of several doses over two to four weeks, combined with a cream such as permethrin.
How many tablets?
| Body weight | Approximate 200 mcg/kg dose | Tablets |
|---|---|---|
| About 132 lb (60 kg) | 12 mg | One Iverheal 12 mg |
| About 198 lb (90 kg) | 18 mg | One 12 mg plus one 6 mg |
| About 265 lb (120 kg) | 24 mg | Two Iverheal 12 mg |
The figures are illustrative; your prescriber rounds the dose for you. Lighter adults and children usually need a lower strength.
After treatment: itching and cleanup
- Launder clothes, towels and bedding used in the last three days in hot water and tumble dry on a hot setting; seal anything that cannot be washed in a plastic bag for at least 72 hours.
- Itching often continues for two to four weeks as the skin reacts to dead mites; this does not mean the treatment failed.
- New burrows, or a rash that is still spreading after four weeks, need a medical review.
What are the side effects?
At labeled doses ivermectin is usually well tolerated. Headache, dizziness, nausea, loose stools and a short-lived increase in itching can occur. Seek emergency care for confusion, severe drowsiness, loss of balance, tremor or seizures, fainting, a peeling or blistering rash, or signs of an allergic reaction. Taking more than prescribed, or using livestock ivermectin products, has caused serious poisoning.
Who should not take it?
It is not for children under 33 lb (15 kg) or for use in pregnancy, and nursing mothers should check with their doctor. People with possible Loa loa infection, a weakened immune system or liver disease, and anyone taking warfarin, need individual advice. For babies and pregnant women with scabies, doctors normally choose permethrin cream instead.
Pack sizes and storage
Ten tablets per strip, in packs of 100, 200, 300 or 500, from $95. Keep below 86°F (30°C) in a dry place, protected from light.
Frequently asked questions
Is 12 mg the right strength for me?
Only if your weight-based dose is close to 12 mg or a multiple of it. Smaller doses are easier with Iverheal 6 mg or Iverheal 3 mg.
Does ivermectin prevent or treat COVID-19?
It does not. Randomized trials showed no benefit, and it is not recommended for COVID-19.
Where can I see other scabies treatments?
Creams and tablets are listed in our scabies category and the ivermectin range.
General information, not a treatment plan. Iverheal 12 mg is a prescription medicine; a doctor should confirm scabies or a worm infection before you take it.