# Ivermectin in Nigeria

- Source: https://ogbogwu.com/drugs/ivermectin/
- Drug class: Antiparasitic agent (Antiparasitics)
- Also known as: Mectizan, Ivermol
- Prescription required: no
- On the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines
- Last updated: July 2026

## Price in Nigeria

Ivermectin prices in Nigeria vary by brand, strength, and where you buy it. Confirm the current price with a licensed pharmacy, and always check the product is NAFDAC-registered before you pay.

## What is Ivermectin?

Ivermectin is an antiparasitic medicine with a long and important history in Nigeria. Best known here by the brand Mectizan, it is the backbone of the national programme against river blindness (onchocerciasis) — a disease spread by blackfly bites that, untreated, causes intense itching, skin damage, and blindness. For decades ivermectin has been distributed free in community mass-treatment campaigns across affected Nigerian communities, and it has transformed the outlook for millions of people.

Ivermectin works by paralysing and killing certain parasites — particularly the microscopic larvae (microfilariae) of the worms behind river blindness and lymphatic filariasis — as well as the mites that cause scabies and some intestinal worms. For river blindness it is usually given as a single dose once or twice a year, because it clears the larvae that cause symptoms and reduces transmission, even though it does not kill the adult worms outright.

In recent years ivermectin became widely talked about for a very different reason: claims that it treats or prevents COVID-19. It is important to be clear — large, well-conducted studies have not shown ivermectin to be an effective treatment for COVID-19, and health authorities including the WHO do not recommend it for that purpose. Taking large or repeated 'anti-COVID' doses, or using animal (veterinary) ivermectin meant for livestock, is dangerous. Used properly for its genuine parasitic indications, ivermectin is a safe, valuable medicine; used on the basis of internet claims, it can cause harm.

## What is Ivermectin used for?

- River blindness (onchocerciasis) — the main use in Nigeria, often via mass campaigns
- Lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) control, usually combined with other medicines
- Scabies (including difficult or widespread cases)
- Certain intestinal worm infections such as strongyloidiasis
- Head lice in some settings

## Dosage

Always follow a doctor's or pharmacist's instructions; this is general reference information.

- Adults: Ivermectin is dosed by body weight (commonly around 150-200 micrograms per kg). For river blindness it is typically a single dose once or twice a year, taken with water — often on an empty stomach for worm infections, though taking it with food increases absorption for some uses. For scabies, a dose is usually repeated after 1-2 weeks. Follow the specific programme or prescriber's instructions; the community-distributed Mectizan is given using a simple height/weight guide by trained distributors.
- Children: Given by weight to children above a minimum size (usually those weighing at least 15kg or above a certain height), in the same programmes; not given to very small children except on specialist advice.
- Elderly: Standard weight-based dosing.

Take the correct weight-based dose — more is not better and high doses are dangerous. Never use veterinary (animal) ivermectin, which is far more concentrated and can cause serious poisoning. Do not take ivermectin to 'treat or prevent COVID-19' — it does not work for that. In areas where a related worm (Loa loa) is present, a doctor should assess before treatment because of a rare risk of serious reactions.

## Side effects

Common: Itching, rash, or hives (often from the body's reaction to dying parasites rather than the drug itself); Swollen or tender lymph glands; Mild fever, headache, or muscle aches; Dizziness; Temporary eye irritation or swelling in river blindness treatment.

Serious (seek medical help immediately): Severe allergic-type reactions, more likely when there is a heavy parasite load; In areas with the Loa loa worm, a rare but serious brain reaction (encephalopathy) — which is why screening matters there; Signs of overdose (from wrong or veterinary dosing): confusion, severe drowsiness, unsteadiness, vomiting, low blood pressure, seizures; Severe skin reactions.

When to see a doctor: Seek care for a severe reaction after a dose (marked swelling, difficulty breathing, high fever), for confusion or drowsiness that could signal overdose, or if you have taken a large or veterinary dose. If you live where Loa loa occurs, or have had heavy worm infections, get medical advice before treatment rather than self-dosing.

## Warnings

Do not take if: Do not use veterinary (animal) ivermectin in humans — it is far too concentrated and can cause serious poisoning; Do not take large or repeated 'anti-COVID' doses — ivermectin is not an effective COVID-19 treatment; Caution in areas with the Loa loa worm — a doctor should assess first; Use in young children (under the minimum weight/height) only on specialist advice; Avoid in pregnancy unless clearly needed and advised by a doctor.

Interactions: Warfarin — ivermectin may increase its blood-thinning effect; monitoring may be needed; Sedatives and alcohol may add to dizziness or drowsiness; Ivermectin has relatively few interactions with everyday medicines at correct doses.

Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Ivermectin is generally avoided in pregnancy unless the benefit clearly outweighs the risk, and mass-treatment programmes exclude pregnant women. Small amounts pass into breast milk; it is usually considered acceptable while breastfeeding when needed, but check with a health worker. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding and think you need treatment, seek medical advice rather than self-dosing.

## Brands in Nigeria

Well-known NAFDAC-registered brands: Mectizan (Merck (MSD), made in France).
Full searchable brand list: https://ogbogwu.com/drugs/ivermectin/brands/

## How to verify it is genuine

1. For genuine human ivermectin, buy from a licensed pharmacy or receive it through the official community programme (Mectizan)
2. Check the NAFDAC registration number on the pack and verify it on the NAFDAC Green Book or app
3. Never buy or use veterinary ivermectin sold for animals — it is not safe for people
4. Check the expiry date and that the packaging is sealed and untampered
5. Be extremely wary of ivermectin marketed online as a COVID-19 cure or prevention — this is misinformation, and such products may be fake or wrongly dosed
6. Confirm the strength on the pack and take only the correct weight-based dose

Verify any NAFDAC number free (no login): https://ogbogwu.com/nafdac-checker/

## FAQs

### Does ivermectin treat or prevent COVID-19?

No. This is important to be clear about: large, well-conducted clinical trials have not found ivermectin to be an effective treatment or preventive for COVID-19, and major health authorities including the World Health Organization do not recommend it for that use outside of research. The early enthusiasm came from small or flawed studies and online claims, not solid evidence. Taking high or repeated 'anti-COVID' doses — or using animal ivermectin — has caused serious harm and even hospitalisations. Ivermectin is a valuable medicine for parasites, but not for COVID-19.

### What is ivermectin actually used for in Nigeria?

Its most important use in Nigeria is against river blindness (onchocerciasis), a disease spread by blackflies that causes severe itching, skin damage, and eventually blindness. Ivermectin (as Mectizan) has been distributed free in community campaigns across affected areas for decades and has protected millions of people. It is also used in programmes against lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis), and to treat scabies and certain intestinal worms. These are its genuine, evidence-based uses — quite different from the COVID-19 claims.

### Why must I never use animal (veterinary) ivermectin?

Veterinary ivermectin — the pastes and injectables made for cattle, horses, and other animals — is far more concentrated than the human medicine and is formulated for animal use, not human safety. People who have taken it, often following online 'COVID cure' advice, have suffered serious poisoning: confusion, severe drowsiness, unsteadiness, vomiting, low blood pressure, and seizures. If ivermectin is genuinely needed for a parasitic condition, only the correctly dosed human product from a pharmacy or the official programme should ever be used.

### How much does ivermectin cost, and do I need a prescription?

Human ivermectin is inexpensive — typically a few hundred to a few thousand naira for a pack — and for river blindness it is often provided free through community mass-treatment campaigns. It is widely available, but for the right dose and to be sure you actually need it (some conditions and areas require a doctor's assessment first, such as where the Loa loa worm occurs), it is best to get it from a pharmacy or health worker rather than self-treating based on internet advice. Always buy the genuine, NAFDAC-registered human product.

## Sources

- NAFDAC Greenbook (official register of approved products in Nigeria)
- WHO Model List of Essential Medicines
- British National Formulary (BNF)
- Nigerian Standard Treatment Guidelines (Federal Ministry of Health)