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

Kennedy has long made false statements about the safety of vaccines and has touted disproven treatments for Covid-19, including ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine. —Emily Mullin, WIRED, 31 Oct. 2024

But her administration also distributed nearly 200,000 medical kits containing ivermectin, a drug typically used to treat parasites in horses and other animals, to people who had tested positive for the coronavirus. —Eduardo García, San Antonio Express-News, 29 Sep. 2024

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

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