ivermectin

noun

iver·​mec·​tin ˌī-vər-ˈmek-tən 

: a drug mixture of two structurally similar semisynthetic lactones that is used in veterinary medicine as an anthelmintic, acaricide, and insecticide and in human medicine to treat onchocerciasis

Examples of ivermectin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Medication access, restrictions If signed into law by Abbott, Texas would join a handful of other states that allow the over-the-counter sale of ivermectin. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2025

Besides his support of ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19, Ladapo personally altered a Florida Department of Health Covid vaccine study to exaggerate the risks of cardiac death and discourage mRNA vaccine uptake. —Judy Stone, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2025

Although O’Neill did use social media to criticize FDA efforts to stop the prescribing of unproven treatments for COVID-19, including the anti-parasite drug ivermectin. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2025

Kennedy is hoping Texas can do more to advance his policy goals, specifically on ivermectin. —Ryan Chandler, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from di- + New Latin avermitilis (specific epithet of Streptomyces avermitilis, bacterium from which it is derived) + English -ect- (of unknown origin) + -in entry 1

First Known Use

1981, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ivermectin

• fibronectin
• amylopectin
• lectin
• pecten
• pectin
• selectin

Medical Definition

ivermectin

noun

iver·​mec·​tin ˌī-vər-ˈmek-tən 

: a drug mixture of two structurally similar semisynthetic macrocyclic lactones that is a derivative of avermectin used in veterinary medicine as an anthelmintic, acaricide, and insecticide and in human medicine to treat onchocerciasis