Microsoft word - ivermectin fact sheet.doc

Ivermectin fact sheet
Ivermectin was the first of the avermectins to be used in veterinary medicine and has
been widely used as an endectocide in a variety of species, including humans, for 30
years [1, 2]. A macrolide antibiotic in the avermectin group, it is an agonist for the
inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and can be administered
orally, topically or by injection [3]. The drug acts by binding GABA-gated chloride and
invertebrate-specific glutamate-gated anion channels in peripheral neuromuscular
synapses, suppressing nerve impulse conduction [4]. Its usefulness as an anthelminthic
results from differences in the distribution of GABA receptors between mammals and
arthropods or nematodes: GABA receptors in mammals are mostly in the central nervous
system (CNS) protected by the blood brain barrier, whereas in arthropods and nematodes
they are found in the peripheral nervous system at the neuromuscular junction.
Stimulation of GABA receptors in endo- and ecto-parasites causes flaccid paralysis and
inhibits feeding of the parasite [2, 5].
Potential adverse effects of ivermectin
Although ivermectin has a wide margin of safety in most mammalian species, some
animals are particularly sensitive to toxicity. Ivermectin toxicity can appear in the form
of severe central nervous system side effects such as depression, coma, and death [2].
Animals exhibiting these symptoms are believed to have an absence or functional
deficiency of P-glycoprotein in nervous system capillary endothelium [2]. P-glycoprotein
plays a role in the blood brain barrier, acting as an efflux pump to prevent the entry of
specific drugs into the nervous system [6]. Ivermectin is highly lipophilic and thus
usually has very poor penetration of the blood brain barrier, due to the action of the drug
efflux transporters. Deficiency or disruption of this gene leads to enhanced absorption
and exposure of the brain to a number of drugs, including ivermectin. Treatment has also
been reported to cause subtle effects on behavior [7] and on immune function [8, 9].
Severe central nervous system side effects of ivermectin been reported particularly in
collie dogs and CF-1 mice. Sensitive collies show reactions at 1/200th of the dose
required to show toxicity in other dogs [2]. These collies have a genetic deletion that
generates a frame shift, resulting in premature termination of the synthesis of p-
glycoprotein [2]. Mice with abnormal P-glycoprotein, and thus ivermectin sensitivity,
include a subpopulation of about 25% of CF-1 mice [1, 10] and other mice homozygous
for disruption of the Abcb1a (previously known as mdr1a) P-glycoprotein gene [1, 11].
These mice are phenotypically the same, and show enhanced central absorption of
ivermectin, while blood and hepatic levels are the same as wild-type mice, showing that
differences in ivermectin disposition arise through a deficiency in p-glycoprotein rather
than through an alteration in drug metabolism [2]. Ivermectin-sensitive CF-1 mice and P-
glycoprotein-deficient mice evidence the severe neurologic side effects of coma and rapid
death. In addition to side effects related to genotype, reports have described ivermectin
toxicity in neonatal rodents [12], perhaps because P-glycoprotein protein expression in
brain capillary cells is incomplete until postnatal day 21 [13]. Surprisingly, ivermectin
did not alter seizure responses in either seizure-prone or seizure-resistant mice [14].
Reports of toxicity exist in other species include humans. Horses, cattle, pigs and rabbits
show signs of neurotoxicity including depression, ataxia, rigidity, and impaired vision
when given doses in excess of 4-8 times the recommended dose [1].
Aside from toxicity, treatment with ivermectin has been reported to cause subtle effects
on behavioral testing and immune function in mice. In one study, treated mice were
normal with regard to body weight, motor behaviors and the performance of a spatial
memory task. However, ivermectin produced real changes in other behaviors. Mice
were significantly more active in the open field exploration test during ivermectin
treatment than before treatment, had a greater acoustic startle amplitude than control
mice, and had variably lower prepulse inhibition, depending on mouse strain [7]. These
results showed that ivermectin affected the behavioral responses to certain stimuli and not
others, potentially stemming from a hyperreactivity to environmental stimuli in certain
circumstances. In terms of immune function, ivermectin was shown to have anti-
inflammatory properties, significantly diminishing the recruitment of immune cells and
cytokines in a mouse model of asthma [15]. Other studies have showed an
immunomodulatory effect on T-helper cells [9] and T-cell related genetic deletion in
transgenic mice administered ivermectin [16].
References
1. Woodward,
Toxicity in Animals: Target Species. Curr Pharm Biotechnol, 2011. Ivermectin: does P-glycoprotein play a role in neurotoxicity? Filaria J, 2003. 2
Suppl 1: p. S8.
Klement, P., et al., An oral ivermectin regimen that eradicates pinworms (Syphacia spp.) in
laboratory rats and mice. Laboratory Animal Science, 1996. 46(3): p. 286-90.
Ricart Arbona, R.J., et al., Treatment and eradication of murine fur mites: I. Toxicologic
evaluation of ivermectin-compounded feed. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci, 2010. 49(5): p. 564-70.
Roder, J.D. and E.L. Stair, An overview of ivermectin toxicosis. Veterinary and Human
Toxicology, 1998. 40(6): p. 369-70.
Kiki-Mvouaka, S., et al., Role of P-glycoprotein in the disposition of macrocyclic lactones: A
comparison between ivermectin, eprinomectin, and moxidectin in mice. Drug Metab lism and
Disposition: The Biological Fate of Chemicals, 2010. 38(4): p. 573-80.
Davis, J.A., et al., Behavioral effects of ivermectin in mice. Laboratory Animal Science, 1999.
49(3): p. 288-96.
Johnston, N.A., et al., Assessment of immune activation in mice before and after eradication of
mite infestation. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci, 2009. 48(4): p. 371-7.
Blakley, B.R. and C.G. Rousseaux, Effect of ivermectin on the immune response in mice.
American Journal of Veterinary Research, 1991. 52(4): p. 593-5.
Umbenhauer, D.R., et al., Identification of a P-glycoprotein-deficient subpopulation in the CF-1
mouse strain using a restriction fragment length polymorphism. Toxicology and Applied
Pharmacology, 1997. 146(1): p. 88-94.
Didier, A.D. and F. Loor, Decreased biotolerability for ivermectin and cyclosporin A in mice
exposed to potent P-glycoprotein inhibitors. International Journal of Cancer, 1995. 63(2): p. 263-
7.
Skopets, B., et al., Ivermectin toxicity in young mice. Laboratory Animal Science, 1996. 46(1): p.
111-2.
Tsai, C.E., et al., P-glycoprotein expression in mouse brain increases with maturation. Biology of
the Neonate, 2002. 81(1): p. 58-64.
Diggs, H.E., et al., Effect of chronic ivermectin treatment on GABA receptor function in ethanol
withdrawal-seizure prone and resistant mice. Laboratory Animal Science, 1990. 40(1): p. 68-71.
Yan, S., et al., Anti-inflammatory effects of ivermectin in mouse model of allergic asthma.
Inflammation Research, 2011. 60(6): p. 589-96.
Corbo-Rodgers, E., et al., Oral ivermectin as an unexpected initiator of CreT2-mediated deletion
in T cells. Nat Immunol, 2012. 13(3): p. 197-8.

Source: http://www.dar.emory.edu/pi/ivermectin.pdf