Ivermectin as a systemic insecticide

Like many broad-spectrum drugs, the antiparasitic agent ivermectin is not equally effective in the treatment of all parasitic infestations. Predicting arthropod susceptibility relies not only on an understanding of insect and acarine biology, but also on an appreciation of the pharmacokinetic properties of the drug which can be profoundly influenced by host differences and pharmaceutical formulation. In this review, Helen Jackson attempts to explain the diverse number of ivermectin-induced effects observed among parasitic arthropods feeding on treated animals and aims to provide an overview of the current and future use of ivermectin in the systemic treatment and control of arthropod pests of livestock.