Description
Same active ingredient (ivermectin) as Stromectol®, the US brand. Iverheal 6 mg is an Indian brand, made and licensed in India.
About Iverheal 6 mg Tablets
Iverheal 6 mg is a prescription tablet containing 6 mg of ivermectin, made by Healing Pharma in India, used to treat parasitic infections such as intestinal strongyloidiasis, onchocerciasis (river blindness) and, where it is licensed for this use, scabies. Each tablet equals two 3 mg tablets, so a typical adult dose can be taken as two or three tablets rather than four or five. It is an Indian brand, made in India.
How does Iverheal 6 mg work?
Roundworms and mites run their nerves and muscles through a special chloride channel switched on by glutamate. Ivermectin locks these channels open, which leaves the parasite paralyzed. In river blindness it kills the tiny larvae (microfilariae) living in the skin and eyes and stops adult female worms from releasing new ones for several months, although the adult worms themselves survive.
River blindness explained
Onchocerciasis is spread by blackflies that breed near fast-flowing rivers, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa, with smaller pockets in Yemen and South America. Larvae migrate through the skin, causing intense itching, bumps and patches of lost pigment; in the eye they can lead to permanent loss of sight. Ivermectin eases the itch and protects vision by clearing larvae. Because adult worms can live for more than a decade, doses are repeated, usually every 6 to 12 months and sometimes as often as every 3 months, under medical supervision. Specialists sometimes add a course of doxycycline, which targets bacteria that the adult worms depend on.
How to take it
- For river blindness the labeled dose is about 150 micrograms per kilogram, so a 132 lb (60 kg) adult needs roughly 9 mg, for example one 6 mg plus one 3 mg tablet.
- For strongyloidiasis the dose rises to about 200 micrograms per kilogram, which is two 6 mg tablets for that same adult.
- Swallow all the tablets of one dose together, with water, on an empty stomach.
- Your prescriber rounds the dose to whole tablets and may combine this strength with a smaller one.
What to expect after a dose
With threadworm (strongyloidiasis), stomach symptoms usually settle over days to a few weeks. With river blindness, dying larvae can trigger the Mazzotti reaction within one to three days: itching, rash, tender swollen lymph nodes, joint and muscle pain, fever and occasionally a fall in blood pressure when standing. Lie down if you feel faint and get up slowly. Red, sore eyes can also occur. These reactions show the drug is acting, but let your doctor know and seek urgent care if they are severe.
Side effects and warning signs
Mild dizziness, nausea, loose stools, fatigue and itching are the effects reported most often. Rarely, ivermectin raises liver enzymes or causes a serious skin reaction. Call emergency services for confusion, drowsiness you cannot shake off, trouble walking, seizures, difficulty breathing or a blistering rash. A heavy Loa loa (African eye worm) infection is the main risk factor for severe brain reactions, so people from Central or West Africa are tested first.
Who should avoid it?
Ivermectin is not given to children below 33 lb (15 kg), or during pregnancy unless a doctor decides the benefit clearly outweighs the risk. A little passes into breast milk. Before starting, mention warfarin or other blood thinners, any medicine that makes you sleepy, and liver problems.
Pack sizes and storage
Supplied in strips of 10 tablets, in packs of 100, 200, 300 or 500 tablets, from $80. Keep the strips sealed at room temperature below 86°F (30°C), somewhere dry and out of children’s sight.
Frequently asked questions
Can Iverheal 6 mg be used for COVID-19 or flu?
No. Ivermectin is an antiparasitic, not an antiviral, and it is not a treatment for COVID-19; well-run trials showed it does not help people with the infection.
What if I need a smaller or larger dose?
Iverheal 3 mg allows finer steps, while heavier adults may be prescribed Iverheal 12 mg.
Where can I find other filarial treatments?
See our filariasis category or the full ivermectin range.
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Iverheal 6 mg is a prescription medicine, and river blindness or threadworm should be treated under a doctor’s care.