摘要：

Ivermectin, a derivative of B, is an orally effective microfilaricidal agent. It is the current drug of choice for treating patients infected with the , which is a major cause of in inhabitants of some tropical areas. Ivermectin is administered orally as a single dose of 150 micrograms/kg given annually. Skin and ocular microfilarial counts are dramatically reduced after the first dose, with some evidence for a resulting decrease in transmission of by the blackfly vector. With the exception of rare serious reactions such as severe systemic postural hypotension, ivermectin is generally well tolerated. The drug has the clear advantages of ease of administration and better tolerability compared with diethylcarbamazine and , agents previously used to treat . Thus, ivermectin is suitable for inclusion in mass treatment programmes and is the best therapeutic option presently available to combat . As such it provides hope for many thousands of people at risk of becoming blind, and represents a major contribution to tropical medicine.

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