Ivermectin
Ivermectin is neither a miracle cure, nor a conspiracy. Its certainly not quackery, so lets dive in!
Ivermectin is a BioPharma tool, used in the right setting …. it can be life changing. Originally developed for parasitic disease, later explored for viral suppression, and now being reconsidered for immune and cancer-modulatory properties.
At iBiome, our job is to use every tool (old or new), aligning it with science and precision.
Meet Streptomyces Avermitilis. The Soil Bacterium That Changed Medicine
Discovered in the 1970s by Japanese microbiologist Satoshi Ōmura and American parasitologist William Campbell, ivermectin is derived from Streptomyces avermitilis, a soil bacterium.
Its not lab derived, its BIOPHARMA (soil derived), cool right?
It became a miracle drug for the treatment of onchocerciasis (river blindness) and lymphatic filariasis, and was later included on the WHO’s List of Essential Medicines.
In 2015, Ōmura and Campbell were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for this achievement.
The soil gives rise to Streptomyces avermitilis, a member of the the Streptomyces species.
Streptomyces avermitilis produces a family of compounds called avermectins.
Avermectins (and the semi-synthetic derivative ivermectin) bind to glutamate-gated chloride channels in nerve and muscle cells of parasites.
This causes paralysis and death of worms and arthropods. → paralysis and death of the parasite.
These molecules were originally toxic to worms and arthropods, leading to their application in veterinary medicine and later human antiparasitic therapy.
Cool Fact: Streptomyces species produce over 1/2 of all antibiotics in clinical use today, such as streptomycin, chloramphenicol, and tetracyclines.
HORSE PASTE CONTROVERSY. In 2020–2021, as desperation for COVID-19 treatments grew:
Preprint studies suggested ivermectin might reduce viral load or improve outcomes.
Some physicians began using it off-label.
Demand outpaced supply in some regions.
With pharmacies reluctant to dispense ivermectin, some individuals turned to livestock supply stores, buying veterinary versions intended for 1,200-pound horses.
This led to:
A surge in poison control calls
Warnings from the FDA: “You are not a horse. You are not a cow. Seriously, y’all. Stop it.” @US_FDA on Twitter, August 2021
Media ridicule, politicization, and the equating of all ivermectin use with quackery.
Its not Quackery: What Got Lost in the Noise
Ivermectin has decades of safe, evidence-based use in humans at appropriate doses.
The fact that people resorted to animal formulations reflected health system failures, not scientific fraud.
The controversy diverted attention from serious investigation into ivermectin’s potential roles in viral illness, inflammation, and immune regulation.
At iBiome, we hold space for both:
A need for scientific data-driven caution, and
An understanding of why people seek outside-the-box tools
Available at iBiome: Repurposed Agents
Ivermectin falls under the category of repurposed agents, repurposed for the use of anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic, β-catenin & YAP inhibitors. Other examples of repurposed agents are….
Metformin – metabolic support, insulin control, mTOR modulation
Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) – immune regulation, endorphin support
COVID-19 Controversy: From Antiviral Hope to Misinformation Wars
During the COVID-19 pandemic, ivermectin was explored as a potential antiviral agent, based on in vitro studies showing it could inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication by interfering with importin α/β-mediated nuclear transport, a mechanism viruses use to suppress host immunity.
But here’s where the science got hijacked:
Early enthusiasm came from laboratory and observational studies.
Dosages used in vitro were far higher than safe human dosing.
Randomized clinical trials were inconclusive, small, or poorly designed, while others were later retracted.
Political polarization and social media turned ivermectin into a symbol of anti-establishment medicine, despite a lack of strong evidence. (and folks who were RXing it, were labeled as ANTI-ESTABLISHMENT)
Newer research continues to investigate ivermectin’s anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antiparasitic effects, especially in the setting of Long COVID, co-infections, and even certain cancers.
🧪 2023 Study: Ivermectin showed promise in reducing IL-6 and TNF-α in inflammatory states in animal models (PMID: 37102058)
🧬 NIH Ongoing Trial: NCT05368285 exploring ivermectin in post-viral syndromes
🧬 Liver fluke infections (Opisthorchis viverrini) are classified as Group 1 carcinogens by WHO due to their role in cholangiocarcinoma)
How parasites contribute to chronic disease and cancer:
Immune evasion and suppression
Helminths and protozoa release excretory-secretory products (ESPs) that downregulate T-cell activation and skew immunity toward Th2 dominance.
Chronic inflammation & ROS production
Longstanding parasite burden increases reactive oxygen species → DNA damage → increased risk of mutation.
Molecular mimicry
Antigenic cross-reactivity between parasites and host tissues may trigger autoimmunity or dysregulated cell growth.
Microbiome disruption
Parasitic infections shift the gut microbial balance, creating terrain for leaky gut, endotoxemia, and oncogenic pathways.
What You Can Do:
Subscriber, start working with a provider to address your microbiome, support the TERRAIN (the home of the microbiome) that is YOU at the cellular level!
Start by giving your liver love!
Ivermectin, the iBiome perspective….
Ivermectin downregulates NF-κB and IL-6, two pathways central to chronic inflammation.
These are often upregulated in patients with: Leaky gut, Mold illness, Autoimmunity, Post-viral syndromes (Long COVID and other viruses)
Unlike corticosteroids or biologics (used in Conventional Medicine), ivermectin appears to modulate immunity, shifting cytokine expression toward balance, not blunt suppression.
Some studies suggest ivermectin may shift gut microbiota favorably when used in the right context, especially when parasites, protozoa, or pathogenic overgrowths are present.
Ivermectin’s role in importing pathway inhibition may interfere with viral hijacking of host cells. It also shows mild biofilm-disrupting activity, which is relevant in chronic infections like:
Lyme & co-infections
SIBO with parasitic overlay
Persistent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
When do we consider Ivermecin in our patients?
Refractory gut dysbiosis with confirmed parasitic load (Blastocystis, Giardia, Dientamoeba, etc.)
Post-infectious syndromes with fatigue, brain fog, and elevated inflammatory markers
Chronic inflammatory states with eosinophilia, mold exposure, or poor bile flow
Cases where natural anti-parasitics failed, or when terrain is too dysregulated for botanical detox alone
Ivermectin and Cancer
Cancer Care sits on the iBiome Book Shelf
Subscriber, I refer to this book often.
In collaboration with the Oncology team…we will consider this drug during your conventional cancer treatment.
Ivermectin is not an anticancer panacea, but its attributes make it a repurposed agent of interest. In functional medicine and naturopathic medicine, it may be used for terrain-reset strategies, targeting not only parasites, but immune dysfunction & mitochondrial damage.
Low cost
Multi-targeted pathways
Relatively safe profile
We know that parasites suppress immune surveillance and may worsen cancer outcomes. Addressing parasitic terrain may unburden immune defenses in advanced cancer.
Early Preclinical Human Trials are Promising
Triple-negative breast cancer: especially with resistance to first-line agents.
Glioblastoma: due to Ivermectin’s ability to cross the blood-brain barrier in inflamed or leaky tissues.
Colon and liver cancers: via β-catenin and PAK1 inhibition.
Leukemia and melanoma: studies show apoptosis induction and decreased cell viability.
📚
Zhang X et al. Ivermectin inhibits tumor growth by targeting the WNT-TCF pathway in cancer cells.Cancer Lett. 2021.
Dou Q et al. Ivermectin sensitizes breast cancer cells to chemotherapy via inhibition of PAK1. EMBO Mol Med. 2020.
Subscriber, while the studies show preclinical or early promise, its important to understand that there are many using this ahead of the studies (for other reasons), successfully.
The patient stories are abound with successes. While the anecdotal stories are not a substitute for randomized trials, they are clinically compelling signals that should not be dismissed….and certainly should drive more research.
Especially when they reflect consistent, reproducible outcomes in patients with limited options. At iBiome, we pay attention to these patterns while balancing them with safety, biochemical plausibility, and personalized assessment. We collaborate with your providers to strategically time this medicine for your best benefit.
In today’s society, detoxification is no longer optional, it’s a clinical necessity! We are constantly exposed to a layered burden of pathogens, pollutants, pharmaceuticals, plastics, pesticides, and persistent stressors that overwhelm the body's natural elimination systems.
Ivermectin clears biological stressors that burden detox pathways, immune resilience; I consider it in the category of intense detoxification and take it very seriously.
Not ready for Ivermectin?
iBiome gentle detox can be considered instead……start with LIVER LOVE…..
iBiome patients know to start their day with a simple 8 oz glass of room temperature lemon water upon waking
Dry brushing stimulates lymphatic drainage
Infrared sauna or Epsom salt baths, mobilizes toxins through sweat
Rebounding (mini trampoline) enhances lymphatic circulation
I regret not getting one on Prime Day, this is on my list of things to pick up! My sons and I have been wanting to try it!
Alpha-lipoic acid and CoQ10 rebuild oxidative balance post-stress with Nutrients! If you have not done so already, sign up for our Fullscript account!
Vagus nerve stimulation: gargling, humming, cold exposure, Pranayama breathwork
Whether choosing intense or gentle detox, do it strategically and in conjunction with your own immune capacity: this is why we prefer personalized health!
Follow us for more @iBiome_holisticNP or schedule a no cost discovery call to discuss your personalized therapeutic plan.
Warmly,
Rita Wadhwani, MSN, RN, ACNP, CNS
iBiome Health & Wellness, PMC
TELEPHONE: 818 634 4202 | FAX: 213 619 0555
Disclaimer: This communication is not intended as medical advice or substitution of health care, or medical advice. Please consult with your individual provider, or schedule an appointment with us before starting any health recommendations.
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