Stromectol
3 · 6 · 12mg
This medicine is developed to target parasitic infestations like strongyloidiasis and is intended to alleviate symptoms by eradicating the underlying parasite.
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Onchocerciasis
Onchocerciasis, commonly called river blindness, is a parasitic infection caused by the roundworm Onchocerca volvulus. Blackflies breeding near fast-flowing rivers carry the larvae and pass them to humans through bites. While most cases occur in sub-Saharan Africa, the disease is also endemic in parts of Yemen and Latin America, and it remains a health concern for travellers, aid workers, and expatriates working near affected river systems.
Medicine used to treat Onchocerciasis
What the infection does to skin and eyes
The worms mature under the skin, forming nodules and producing millions of microscopic offspring called microfilariae. These migrate through the skin, causing intense itching, rashes, and over time a thickened or depigmented appearance sometimes called “leopard skin”. When microfilariae reach the eyes and die there, the resulting inflammation gradually damages the cornea and can lead to permanent vision loss, which is how the disease earned its common name.
Treating onchocerciasis
The standard approach is a single oral dose of ivermectin, an antiparasitic that rapidly kills the microfilariae and suppresses new production for several months. Repeat doses at six- to twelve-month intervals are typically needed because ivermectin does not kill adult worms. It belongs to the broader class of antiparasitic medicines used against a range of worm and parasite infections. Anyone with possible eye involvement or a heavy worm burden should be assessed by a clinician before treatment.