Ivermectin shows broad-spectrum anti-parasitic activity. It kills the Demodex mites that reside in the pilosebaceous units of patients with papulopustular rosacea. Ivermectin also has anti-inflammatory effects, it decreases cellular and humoral immune responses. Inflammatory mechanisms appear to play a dominant role in the development of rosacea inflammatory lesions. Additionally, there is some evidence that it shows antimicrobial activity against Myobacterium tuberculosis and Chlamydia trachomatis. The recent clinical studies of ivermectin on rosacea show that it was superior to vehicle in reducing inflammatory lesion counts, and its tolerability was excellent. Ivermectin displays antimicrobial, antiparasitic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory activities.
Keywords: Avermectin; ivermectin; mechanism of action; papulopustular rosacea.