Ivermectin in Australia: Uses, Risks and Safety

Few medicines have gone from obscure to headline news as quickly as ivermectin. For decades it was a specialist antiparasitic that most Australians had never heard of. Then it became a talking point during the COVID-19 pandemic, and plenty of confusion followed. This guide explains what ivermectin is approved for in Australia, what it isn’t approved for, and why safety matters.

This article is general information only and isn’t medical advice. Ivermectin is a prescription medicine, so talk to a doctor or pharmacist about your own situation.

What is ivermectin?

Ivermectin is an antiparasitic medicine. It comes in two main forms for people, and they are used for quite different purposes:

Oral tablets (for example, Stromectol 3 mg tablets), used for certain parasitic infections.
Topical 1% cream, used on the skin for a specific facial skin condition.

Mixing these up is a common source of confusion, so it helps to keep them separate.

Approved uses in Australia

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is Australia’s medicines regulator. It has approved ivermectin for a short list of conditions.

Oral ivermectin

Oral formulations are approved for:

Intestinal strongyloidiasis, an infection with a type of threadworm.
Onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness.
Human sarcoptic scabies, when topical treatment has failed or can’t be used, or for crusted scabies alongside topical therapy.

The scabies approval is narrower than many people assume. Oral ivermectin is not simply a first choice for every itchy rash. It is reserved for particular situations, and a doctor decides whether it suits you. Healthdirect Australia has consumer information on scabies and on Stromectol if you want further reading.

Topical ivermectin cream

The 1% cream is approved for inflammatory papules and pustules associated with facial rosacea in adults aged 18 years and over. These are the red bumps and pimple-like spots that can appear on the face. The cream treats a skin condition and is not used for parasitic infections elsewhere in the body. The Australian Prescriber has published an overview of rosacea treatment for those who want more detail.

A practical example

Imagine someone who has had an intensely itchy rash for weeks, with the itch worse at night. They might assume it’s an allergy, but scabies is one possibility. The right step is to see a doctor or pharmacist for a proper assessment, not to try leftover medicine or something found online. If scabies is confirmed, the doctor will choose the treatment and decide whether oral ivermectin is appropriate.

Do you need a prescription?

Yes. Oral ivermectin is a Schedule 4 (Prescription Only) medicine in Australia. It requires a valid prescription; speak to your doctor about assessment and treatment. Dosing is worked out by a doctor or pharmacist based on factors such as body weight and your health profile, so internet “dosage guides” should never be followed.

Unproven uses: ivermectin and COVID-19

This is where most of the controversy lies, so the position is worth stating plainly. Ivermectin is not approved for preventing or treating COVID-19. The TGA, the World Health Organization and Australia’s National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce do not endorse it for that purpose. Multiple large clinical trials have found that ivermectin does not improve clinical outcomes in people with COVID-19.

What happened with Australian prescribing rules

September 2021: The TGA temporarily restricted GPs from prescribing oral ivermectin for off-label uses. The concerns were misuse for COVID-19 and potential supply shortages for patients who needed it for approved conditions.
June 2023: The TGA removed those restrictions because public health risk levels had decreased.

Lifting the restrictions did not change the evidence. The TGA reaffirmed that ivermectin remains unproven and non-endorsed for viral infections such as COVID-19. It only means prescribers regained their usual discretion.

Side effects of ivermectin

When taken as prescribed, the oral form can cause side effects. Possible effects vary with the infection being treated and include:

Mild dizziness
Nausea
Diarrhoea
Skin itching or rash
Joint pain

Not everyone gets side effects, and these are generally mild. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you feel unwell. A blistering or peeling rash or sores around the mouth or eyes needs urgent medical attention. For breathing difficulty, collapse or seizures, call 000 in Australia or your local emergency number.

The danger of overdosing and veterinary products

Serious risks arise when ivermectin is used outside medical supervision. Overdosing, or taking unapproved products such as highly concentrated veterinary preparations, can cause life-threatening toxicity. Reported effects include:

Severe low blood pressure (hypotension)
Neurological effects
Seizures
Coma

Why animal ivermectin isn’t safe for people

It’s tempting to think “it’s the same drug, so it must be fine.” It isn’t, for several reasons:

Higher concentration. Veterinary products are made for large animals and can be far more concentrated than anything designed for humans.
Different inactive ingredients. The other ingredients in animal products haven’t been assessed for human use.
No human clinical testing. Veterinary formulations haven’t been tested in people.

Another practical example

Suppose someone reads an online forum post claiming a livestock product is “just a bigger version” of the human medicine. The claim ignores concentration, ingredients and testing. Anyone who has swallowed an animal ivermectin product should seek urgent poison-information or medical advice, even if they feel well.

Practical takeaways

Match the form to the condition: tablets for specific parasitic infections and some scabies cases, cream for facial rosacea bumps.
Don’t self-diagnose skin problems or suspected parasites. Get them assessed.
Never use animal products or follow online dose instructions.
Ask your pharmacist if you’re unsure about a medicine, including how it interacts with others you take.

FAQ

Is ivermectin legal in Australia?
Yes, for approved uses and with a valid prescription. Oral ivermectin is Schedule 4 (Prescription Only).

Can I get it without seeing a doctor?
No. Oral ivermectin requires a prescription from an Australian registered medical practitioner.

Does ivermectin treat COVID-19?
No. It isn’t approved or endorsed for COVID-19 by the TGA, the WHO or the National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce, and large trials haven’t shown it improves outcomes.

Is the cream the same as the tablets?
No. The 1% cream is approved for inflammatory papules and pustules of facial rosacea. The tablets are approved for certain parasitic infections and scabies in specific circumstances.

What should I do if I’ve taken too much or used a veterinary product?
In Australia, call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 immediately, even without symptoms. For severe symptoms, call 000. Outside Australia, use local poison-information and emergency services.

Conclusion

Ivermectin is a useful medicine when it’s used for what it’s approved to treat and prescribed by a health professional. It is not a COVID-19 treatment, and animal products and self-directed dosing carry real danger. If you think you might need treatment for scabies, parasites or rosacea, speak to your doctor or pharmacist, who can recommend what’s right for you.

Sources

Read more in our health guides and medicine FAQs. Information checked 5 November 2026.