Objective: To observe the efficacy and side effects of ivermectin in the treatment of intestinal nematode infections.
Methods: A single dose of ivermectin 0.1, 0.2, 0.2 and 0.2 mg/kg was orally administered to cases with infection of Ascaris, hookworm, Trichuris and Enterobius respectively. A single dose of albendazole 400 mg was used as control.
Results: The egg negative conversion rates of ivermectin and albendazole were both 100% (34/34) for Ascaris infection, 17.6% (6/34) and 76.5% (26/34) respectively for hookworm infection, 67.6% (23/34) and 47.1% (16/34) respectively for Trichuris infection, 58.8% (20/34) and 100% (34/34) respectively for Enterobius infection. The worm discharge reached a peak in 1-2 days after treatment. The side effect of ivermectin was mild and transient showing no adverse effect on blood picture, liver function, renal function or ECG.
Conclusion: Ivermectin shows similar effect on Ascaris with albendazole, better effect on Trichuris and poorer effect on hookworm and Enterobius than albendazole.