Skip to main content
Log in

Ivermectin levels in human breastmilk

  • Short Communications
  • Published:
European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Ivermectin levels were measured in breastmilk and plasma of 4 healthy mothers after an oral 150 μg/kg dose. Mean ± S.D. plasma and milk values were 37.9±0.54 and 14.13±0.43 (ng/ml) respectively. Steady-state ivermectin levels in milk were low. Our results suggest that exclusion of lactating mothers from mass chemotherapy with ivermectin may be unnecessary.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Addis DG, Eberhard ML, Laumie PJ, Hitch WL, Spencer HC (1991) Tolerance of single high dose ivermectin for treatment of lymphatic filariasis. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 85: 265–266

    Google Scholar 

  2. Anonymous (1989) Prescribing for children. Br National Formulary 18: 11

    Google Scholar 

  3. Aziz MA, Diallo S, Diop IM, Larviere M, Porta M (1982) Efficacy and tolerance of ivermectin in human onchocerciasis. Lancet II: 171–173

    Google Scholar 

  4. Chijioke CP, Okonkwo PO (1992) Adverse events following mass ivermectin therapy for onchocerciasis. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 86: 284–286

    Google Scholar 

  5. Edwards G, Dingsdale A, Helsby N, Orme MLE, Breckenridge AM (1988) The relative systemic availability of ivermectin after administration as capsule, tablet and oral solution. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 35: 681–684

    Google Scholar 

  6. Klotz U, Ogbuokiri JE, Okonkwo PO (1990) Ivermectin binds avidly to plasma proteins. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 39: 607–608

    Google Scholar 

  7. Larviere M, Vingtain P, Aziz M, Beauvais B, Weimann D, Derouin F, Schulz-Key K, Gaxotte P, Basset D, Sarfati C (1985) Double-blind study of ivermectin and diethyl-carbamazine in African onchocerciasis patients with ocular involvement. Lancet II: 174–177

    Google Scholar 

  8. Okonkwo P, Akpa A, Ihekwaba A, Nwagbo D, Umeh R, Adibua S, Ezike V, Ogbuokiri J (1991) Studies on onchocerciasis in forest-savannah mosaic areas of Nigeria. 1. Investigations in Gbaragu Oji River. Ann Trop Med Parasitol 85: 617–623

    Google Scholar 

  9. Okonkwo PO, Ogbuokiri JE, Ofoegbu E, Klotz U (1993) Protein binding and ivermectin estimations in patients with onchocerciasis. Clin Pharmacol Ther 53: 426–430

    Google Scholar 

  10. Pong SS, Wang CC, Walrond JP, Strenton AOW (1980) Studies in the mechanism of action of avermectin B1a: stimulation of release of gamma-aminobutyric acid from brain synaptosomes. J Neurochem 34: 351–358

    Google Scholar 

  11. Schulz-Key H, Karam M (1986) Periodic reproduction of Onchocerca volvulus. Parasitol Today 2: 284–286

    Google Scholar 

  12. Von Steenbergen WM, Kusin J, Van Rens M (1983) Lactation performance of Akamba mothers, Kenya: breastfeeding behaviour, breastmilk yield and composition. J Trop Paediatr 27: 155–161

    Google Scholar 

  13. Wall R, Strong L (1987) Environmental consequences of treating cattle with the antiparasitic drug ivermectin. Nature 327: 418–421

    Google Scholar 

  14. Whitworth J (1992) Treatment of onchocerciasis with ivermectin in Sierra Leone. Parasitol Today 8: 138–140

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ogbuokiri, J.E., Ozumba, B.C. & Okonkwo, P.O. Ivermectin levels in human breastmilk. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 45, 389–390 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00265962

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00265962

Key words

Navigation