ivermectin

noun

iver·​mec·​tin ˌī-vər-ˈmek-tən 

: a drug mixture of two structurally similar semisynthetic lactones that is used in veterinary medicine as an anthelmintic, acaricide, and insecticide and in human medicine to treat onchocerciasis

Examples of ivermectin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Recent advertisers on Truth Social include companies hawking ivermectin, the antiparasitic drug cited by some people as a miracle cure for the coronavirus and other illnesses, as well as dating sites for conservatives, Truth Social hoodies and MyPillow. —Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 5 Sep. 2024

For instance, a 2013 paper in Biology Letters showed the effects of dosing wild mice with the antiparasitic drug ivermectin, which targets nematode worms. —Kate Golembiewski, Discover Magazine, 1 Aug. 2024

Marik was forced to resign his positions at Eastern Virginia Medical School and Sentara Norfolk General Hospital for promoting the use of ivermectin after the FDA’s actions, according to the lawsuit. —Jen Christensen, CNN, 27 Mar. 2024

Disappointingly, the growing evidence of healthy young men dying shortly after being vaccinated and the therapeutic benefits of ivermectin and the hydroxychloroquine cocktail were not discussed. —Letters To The Editor, Orange County Register, 27 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from di- + New Latin avermitilis (specific epithet of Streptomyces avermitilis, bacterium from which it is derived) + English -ect- (of unknown origin) + -in entry 1

First Known Use

1981, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

ivermectin

noun

iver·​mec·​tin ˌī-vər-ˈmek-tən 

: a drug mixture of two structurally similar semisynthetic macrocyclic lactones that is a derivative of avermectin used in veterinary medicine as an anthelmintic, acaricide, and insecticide and in human medicine to treat onchocerciasis