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

In addition, the bill would allow the sale of the drug ivermectin without prescriptions. —Jim Saunders, Sun Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026

Iowa House Republicans advance bill allowing over-the-counter ivermectin Iowa House Republicans advanced a bill to allow over-the-counter access to the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin. —Marissa Payne, Des Moines Register, 23 Jan. 2026

The new chair is Kirk Milhoan, a pediatric cardiologist who is a member of the Independent Medical Alliance, a group that has promoted the use of ivermectin to treat COVID-19 despite clinical trials showing that the drug isn’t effective against the virus. —Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 5 Dec. 2025

The fluoride bill failed, but the ivermectin bill passed. —Rosemary Westwood, NPR, 25 Nov. 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