Pre-Covid Era

Ivermectin vs Avermectin vs Abamectin? A Japanese microbiologist collected soil samples, then cultured bacteria from them & screened them for medicinal potential. One was remarkably effective against worms. The bacterium in the culture was a new species: Streptomyces avermictilis.

The active component is named avermectin. That component was chemically modified to increase its activity & safety, the new ‘more effective & safer’ compound is called Ivermectin & became a Vet top-seller globally. Additional uses for Ivermectin & other avermectin derivatives continue to be found.

Ivermectin is in a class of medications called anthelmintics (anthelmintics = group of antiparasitic drugs that expel parasitic worms & other internal parasites from the body by either stunning or killing them & without causing significant damage to the host).

Anthelmintics derived from the Avermectins include ivermectin, selamectin, doramectin, eprinomectin, and abamectin.