Pharmacotherapeutic group: Anthelmintic
ATC Vet Code: QP 54 AA 01
Pharmacodynamic Properties
Ivermectin is a 22,23-dihydro derivative of an avermectin (which is a fermentation product produced by Streptomyces avermitilis) and consists of 2 homologues: B1a and B1b. It is a parasiticide with nematocidal, insecticidal and acaricidal activity documented in a wide range of domesticated animals.
Ivermectin is a member of the macrocyclic lactone class of endectocides which have a unique mode of action. Compounds of this class bind selectively and with high affinity to glutamate gated chloride ion channels which occur in invertebrate nerve and muscle cells. This leads to an increase in the permeability of the cell membrane to chloride ions with the hyper-polarisation of the nerve or muscle cell resulting in paralysis and death of the parasite.
Compounds of this class may also interact with other ligand-gated chloride channels, such as those gated by the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABP).
The margin of safety for compounds of this class is attributable to the fact that mammals do not have glutamate gated chloride channels, the macrocyclic lactone have a low affinity for other mammalian ligand-gated chloride channels and they do not readily cross the blood-brain barrier.