Authors: Feleke Tilahun Zewdu, Alie Ayal Ejigu and Mastewal Misgnanaw Alemayehu
Background: Ivermectin is structurally similar to the macrolide antibiotics, but does not have antibacterial activity. It is, however, active against number of ecto- and endoparasites. It has been extensively employed in veterinary medicine, and in humans it is used to treat filarial diseases, principally onchocerciasis. In the year 2016/2017, scabies out break were happened in Ethiopia especially in two zones of Amhara region i.e South Wollo and south Gondar due to illino. Thus, in order to break the infection cycle WHO recommended providing ivermectine as mass drug administration.
Objective: To determine the adverse effects of oral Ivermectin in patients who were treated for scabies outbreak in South Gondar, Ethiopia.
Patients and Methods: This non randomized, study was conducted in South Gondar, Ethiopia. 90 patients from 90 households and three woredas’ were included to the study after the patients were treated for scabies.
Results: All patients completed therapy with a certain mild adverse effects of the drug. Moreover, the prevalence of any reported adverse event ranged from 2.9% to 5.8% excluding a persons who weight less than 6killo grams (age less than 2years), non-pregnants and lactating mothers were excluded. Most of the adverse events were appeared on males and children. Mass administrations of ivermectine distributions were well tolerated, relatively effective, handy and easy to use for the patients as well as health professionals.
Conclusion: Ivermectin seems to be a safe and effective alternative to other ani-scabietic agents with few and relatively mild adverse effects.
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