Ocular and systemic side effects following ivermectin treatment in onchocerciasis patients from Sierra Leone
Stilma, J.S.; Rothova, A.; van der Lelij, G.; Wilson, W.R.; Barbe, R.F.
Acta Leidensia 59(1-2): 207-210
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0065-1362 PMID: 2378206 Document Number: 354122
The frequency and extent of general and ocular side effects of ivermectin in a hyperendemic area of Sierra Leone, was investigated in January 1989. 87 patients were examined, 17 with non-ocular onchocerciasis, 56 with ocular onchocerciasis from the Lunsar Eye Hospital, and 14 with ocular onchocerciasis from a hyperendemic village. They were treated with ivermectin at a dosage of 0.5, 1, 1.5 or 2 tablets depending on body weight. Moderate to severe side effects (including intense itching, skin oedema, arthralgia, joint and bone pains and severe headache) were observed in 28 (32%) of the patients, and medical attention was required. 44 patients were available for follow-up 5 months later. Ocular onchocerciasis was present in 29 and skin onchocerciasis in 15. 25 (66%) still had a positive skin snip test. Of the 29 patients with ocular involvement, the number of patients with microfilariae in the anterior chamber was reduced from 24 to 6 patients. Snow flake opacities in the cornea was reduced from 6 to 0 patients and iritis from 8 to 0 patients. A 2nd treatment of ivermectin was given to the patients with positive skin snips. General side effects were observed in 22% of these patients, but the effects were less severe than following the first treatment.