Ivermectin · Patient Guide · Updated June 2026
Ivermectin Tablets: Strengths, Uses & Dosage Explained
A plain-English guide to oral ivermectin tablets — from 3mg up to 40mg — covering what they treat, how dosing works, and what's different about buying or being prescribed ivermectin in the USA, the UK, and Australia.
Tap a strength — size here is proportional to dose, not a recommendation. The right strength is whatever your prescriber calculates for your weight and condition.
What it is
Ivermectin, in plain terms
Ivermectin is an antiparasitic medicine, originally derived from a soil bacterium and brought into human medicine in the 1980s — work that later earned a share of the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for its global impact on parasitic disease control. In tablet form, it's taken by mouth as a single calculated dose (occasionally repeated), rather than a daily course like most antibiotics.
The brand name most people recognize is Stromectol; the active ingredient is identical in generic versions sold under names like Iverheal or Covilife. Whichever brand is on the box, the tablet itself — ivermectin — is the same drug at the same strength.
Ivermectin tablets are prescription-only in the USA, UK, and Australia. That's true whether you're filling a script at a local pharmacy or ordering through an international supplier like MyRxBox — the difference between countries is in how that prescription is obtained and what it costs, not whether one is required.
Available forms
Ivermectin tablet strengths, at a glance
Five oral strengths cover most prescribed doses; a topical cream is used for a different purpose entirely.
Higher strengths exist to reduce pill count for a calculated dose — they are not a "stronger version" you choose for faster results. Your prescribed total dose (in mg, based on body weight) determines which strength and how many tablets are appropriate. Browse all MyRxBox ivermectin tablets.
What it treats
Approved uses for ivermectin
Intestinal strongyloidiasis
An intestinal roundworm infection. Oral ivermectin is a first-line treatment in most clinical guidelines.
Onchocerciasis (river blindness)
A parasitic infection spread by blackflies, historically one of the main drivers behind ivermectin's global health programs.
Scabies
Topical permethrin is typically first-line; oral ivermectin is used off-label in some guidelines, particularly for crusted scabies or outbreak settings.
Head lice (topical)
An ivermectin lotion, distinct from the oral tablet, is approved to treat head lice without nit-combing.
Rosacea (topical cream)
A 1% ivermectin cream (brand name Soolantra) is approved for the inflammatory bumps and pustules of rosacea — unrelated to the tablet's parasitic-infection use.
Dosage basics
How ivermectin dosing actually works
This is general reference information, not a substitute for your prescriber's instructions.
| Condition | Typical dosing basis | Usual schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Strongyloidiasis | ~200 mcg per kg of body weight | Single dose; sometimes repeated |
| Onchocerciasis | ~150 mcg per kg of body weight | Single dose; may be repeated every 6–12 months under medical supervision |
| Scabies (off-label) | ~200 mcg per kg of body weight | Often two doses, 1–2 weeks apart |
Three markets, three systems
Buying ivermectin in the USA, UK & Australia
The drug is identical everywhere — what differs is how a prescription is obtained and how the system prices it.
Ivermectin for humans in the USA
- FDA-approved oral tablet, prescription-only in every state.
- Stromectol is the original brand; generic ivermectin tablets are widely available once a prescription is written.
- Cash prices vary widely by pharmacy; international options can significantly reduce costs.
- Legal status
- Prescription drug, FDA-regulated
- Common forms sold
- 3mg tablets most widely stocked; higher strengths available online
- Price comparison
- See USA price comparison →
Buying ivermectin online in the UK
- Classified as a Prescription Only Medicine (POM) by the MHRA.
- Available via NHS prescription (standard prescription charge applies) or through a GPhC-registered online pharmacy after a consultation.
- Not every condition ivermectin treats is routinely prescribed first-line on the NHS — availability depends on the specific case.
- Legal status
- POM, regulated by the MHRA
- Common forms sold
- 3mg tablets, dispensed per prescribed dose
- Price comparison
- See UK price comparison →
Ivermectin Australia: buying online
- Schedule 4 (Prescription Only) under the TGA.
- Subsidised through the PBS for specific approved indications with a valid script — pricing then depends on Medicare, concession, or Safety Net status.
- Outside PBS criteria, ivermectin is available privately at full price with a prescription.
- Legal status
- Schedule 4, TGA-regulated
- Common forms sold
- 3mg tablets (brand: Stromectol) most widely listed
- Price comparison
- See Australia price comparison →
Brand vs. generic
Stromectol vs. generic ivermectin tablets
Stromectol (brand)
The original branded formulation. Same active ingredient, same approved uses — the brand name is simply the manufacturer's trademark.
Generic ivermectin
Bioequivalent tablets (e.g. Iverheal, Covilife) containing the identical active compound at the same strength, typically at a lower price once the patent has expired.
"Generic" doesn't mean a lower-quality version — it means the same drug, made by a different licensed manufacturer after patent expiry. The prescribing decision is the same either way. Compare all available ivermectin generics at MyRxBox.
Safety
Side effects & when to call a doctor
Dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, mild itching or rash.
Drowsiness, tremor, or temporary vision changes — report these to a doctor.
Severe rash, swelling, difficulty breathing, or signs of a strong allergic reaction.
People being treated for onchocerciasis with a high parasite load can have a more pronounced reaction (Mazzotti reaction) — this is monitored by the prescribing clinician.
FAQ
Common questions about ivermectin tablets
No. Ivermectin tablets are prescription-only in the USA, UK, and Australia. Reputable suppliers, including international ones like MyRxBox, require a valid prescription before dispensing it.
Only the amount of ivermectin per tablet. Dosing is weight-based, so a 12mg tablet might replace four 3mg tablets for the same total dose — the strength prescribed depends on your calculated dose, not personal choice.
Yes — Stromectol is the original brand name. Generic ivermectin tablets contain the same active ingredient at the same strength, usually at a lower price.
International pharmacies like MyRxBox can ship to these countries, but import and prescription rules vary and can change. Confirm current requirements for your country, and always have a valid prescription before ordering.
By body weight, calculated in micrograms per kilogram, and adjusted for the condition being treated. A prescriber confirms the exact figure — it shouldn't be estimated at home.
No. The 1% topical cream is approved for rosacea and is applied to skin; the tablets are taken orally for parasitic infections. They're not interchangeable.
Ready to order ivermectin?
Browse all five ivermectin tablet strengths plus the topical cream at MyRxBox, or see a side-by-side USA/UK/Australia price comparison.
This page is general information, not medical advice. Ivermectin is a prescription medicine in the USA, UK, and Australia — always confirm your country's current import and prescription rules and consult a licensed doctor or pharmacist before starting, switching, or stopping any medication.
