If you’ve seen “ivermectin uk” pop up in headlines or social feeds and wondered what’s actually going on, this guide’s for you. We’ll unpack what ivermectin is, how the UK regulates it, and where it fits in — especially for skin conditions like rosacea. We’ll keep it simple, breezy, and free of hype.
What is Ivermectin—Really?
Ivermectin is a well-known antiparasitic, part of the avermectin family. It’s been around for decades, used for things like scabies, head lice, and worm infections in humans. It’s even on the World Health Organization’s list of essential medicines on Wikipedia. But here’s where it gets interesting: while ivermectin is mostly oral (tablets) or topical (lotions, creams), in the UK it is unlicensed for scabies, meaning it’s not a standard first-line treatment there. Instead, the go-to products are permethrin and malathion.
Ivermectin UK: Scabies and Beyond
In the UK, oral ivermectin isn’t licensed for most conditions, including scabies or skin issues. That said, doctors sometimes prescribe it off-label when standard therapies fail—especially in stubborn or crusted scabies. For other parasitic things like strongyloidiasis or lymphatic filariasis, licensed oral ivermectin (3 mg tablets) does exist, but under prescription guidelines and weight-based dosing—commonly 200 μg/kg in a single dose.
Enter the Rosacea Realm: Ivermectin for Rosacea
Here’s where things get skin-deep. One of the newer uses of ivermectin in the UK is in topical form—especially ivermectin for rosacea.
What’s “Rosacea Ivermectin”?
Rosacea is a chronic facial skin condition, often involving papules, pustules, and inflammation. The brand Soolantra is a 1% topical cream (10 mg/g ivermectin) developed by Galderma, approved in the UK for moderate to severe “papulopustular rosacea”.
How Does It Work?
It’s believed that ivermectin helps in two ways:
- Anti-inflammatory — reduces inflammatory markers like IL-6, IL-8, LL-37, KLK5.
- Anti-parasitic — reduces Demodex mite populations, which may contribute to rosacea.
Trials in the UK and Europe show significant improvement:
- In two 12-week trials, around 38–40% of patients achieved “clear” or “almost clear” vs ~12–19% on placebo.
- Lesion reductions hit ~75–76% vs ~50% with placebo.
- It outperformed metronidazole cream in a 16-week study and extended remission time significantly.
So yes—rosacea ivermectin works, and it’s firmly part of modern UK dermatology for appropriate cases.
Ivermectin Dosage for Humans
- Let’s break down the dosage formats:
Topical (rosacea): Soolantra is applied once daily to the whole face—pea-sized amounts on forehead, chin, nose, cheeks—for up to 4 months. If no improvement after 3 months, stop use. - Oral (scabies, parasitic infections): According to UK licensed guidance, ivermectin 3 mg tablets are prescribed at a dose of 200 μg/kg body weight as a single dose. Weight-based counts to the number of tablets.
Hence, ivermectin dosage for humans in the UK depends on form—topical for rosacea; oral for serious parasitic conditions—but always as prescribed by a healthcare professional.
Why This Matters: UK Regulations and Practice.
- Licensed vs Unlicensed: Rosacea cream (Soolantra) is licensed; oral ivermectin for conditions like scabies is unlicensed in the UK, so used only selectively.
- Evidence-driven: For rosacea, ivermectin’s effectiveness and longer remission make it a validated option compared to alternatives.
- Safety: Topically, ivermectin is well tolerated—most side effects are mild, like burning or dry skin in a small number (~2%). Orally, it’s generally safe when dosed correctly, but overdosing or misuse can lead to neurotoxicity.
Quick Summary: At a Glance
| Use Case | Ivermectin Form | UK Status | Typical Dosage |
| Papulopustular rosacea | Topical cream (1%) | Licensed (Soolantra) | Once daily, up to 4 months |
| Difficult scabies | Oral tablets | Unlicensed use | 200 µg/kg, single dose (weight-based) |
| Parasitic infections (rare UK) | Oral tablets | Licensed for specific diseases | Same weight-based dose |