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5331054 
Journal Article 
Deaths associated with ivermectin treatment of scabies 
Barkwell, R; Shields, S 
1997 
1 
The Lancet
ISSN: 0140-6736
EISSN: 1474-547X 
349 
Apr 19 1997 
English 
IPA COPYRIGHT: ASHP The case of a pattern of excess deaths in a group of 47 residents of a long term care facility (mean age of 73.4 yr on admission) who received ivermectin for the treatment of scabies is presented; the patients were residents in a closed unit for those with behavioral problems. An outbreak of scabies occurred in the patients' ward that did not respond to therapy with the usual topical agents. Patients were initially treated with crotamiton. One month later they were treated with lindane. Several patients with symptoms received repeated topical applications of lindane and/or permethrin. Four months after the first treatment for scabies, all 47 patients received a single oral dose of 150-200 mcg/kg of ivermectin. Within 5 days, all rashes and symptoms had cleared, and no further treatment was required. Over the next 6 months, 15 of the 47 patients died. Final causes of death showed no pattern, but these patients developed a sudden change in behavior with lethargy, anorexia, and listlessness that preceded death.