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  Discussion on Generic Ivermectin
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Member:
Kari

Posted on Saturday, Apr 12, 2003 - 9:52 pm:

KV Vet Supply is marketing a generic ivermectin paste that is l.87% ivermectin for less than 7.00 per tube. The advertisement states that it kills the same parasites that other ivermectin do. Has anyone used the generic ivermectin and does anyone have specific objections to using it over the named brands?
Member:
Garnet

Posted on Sunday, Apr 13, 2003 - 12:40 am:

I know of a breeder of Spotted Saddle Horses that used the generic liquid last year and some very bad photo sensitivity reactions in his foals. I saw one 6 weeks latter and it still had to be kept up and out of light. Several foals reacted. His vet said not to use the generic again. Previous to this he had used Ivomec.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Apr 13, 2003 - 7:48 am:

Last I heard MSD AgVet was still making all of the ivermectin and distrbuting it to companies that then market it under their label: it is all the same stuff.

On the other hand the name brand product called Ivomec has different formulations and even has several types that contain different active ingredients, you can find ivermectin but there is also a mibilomycin containing product. If you use this product you must be careful about what you buy.
DrO
Member:
Garnet

Posted on Sunday, Apr 13, 2003 - 8:46 am:

Yep the Ivermectin is the same but the farm vet for this breeder said it was something in the carrier and not to use that particular brand again. They had not seen the reaction with Ivomec brand of pure Ivermectin, not the other combinations for cattle.

Sometimes it is false economy to buy the cheaper brand if you do not really know ALL of the ingredients. Although it does not occur to most people that the formulations might vary, they do, particularly in regard to inert ingredients for which no lable claim is made. These so called inert ingredients can often cause allergy or other problems.

Case in point, interior house paint has insecticides in it, but it is not on the label because there is no claim made and it is not required to be. Yet someone who is allergic to that pesticide would be made very sick by the paint. There are also pesticides in electronic, to kill bugs, and they gas out when the electronics heat up. Labeling laws need to be improved, obviously, to the detriment of the manufacturer who will then have to be more repsonsible for what they put in there.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Apr 13, 2003 - 8:31 pm:

Garnet are you aware that some formulations of the ivermectin Ivomec, the swine and cattle product, are made in a pour on formulation and use methyl or isopropyl alcohol in their formulations. These are toxic to ingest. Though I have never been able to quantify the toxicity (in otherwords can you use this orally in horses and save some bucks) you must be very careful, when using off label stuff and very careful before you recommend it. On the other hand I have seen no problems with generic ivermectin products, nor have I seen any such reports.
DrO
Member:
Garnet

Posted on Monday, Apr 14, 2003 - 2:36 am:

Yes I am aware of the toxicity of the pour on products and these were not what was used in the above incident. It was a generic labeled for the same use as Ivomec injectible. I could look up the brand he used but I hesitate to post it here. Suffice it to say that he followed the "traditional" extra label use of orally administering the injectible Ivermectin preparation.

Many adverse drug reactions do not get reported, unfortunately.
Member:
3rsatsmf

Posted on Saturday, May 3, 2003 - 9:15 pm:

Hi there -

I work for Merck - the only two products which use OUR ivermectin are Zimetcrin and Eqvalan. I, myself, give my horse Eqvalan, as Zimectrin is not packaged by us, and Eqvalan is.

Thanks,
Joni
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, May 4, 2003 - 6:07 am:

Hello Joni,
Thanks for the information. I went searching and since I last looked at this question, probably when Zimectrin came out now that I think about it, and was able to find both Indian and Chinese manufacturers of ivermectin. However I had thought there were other generics supplied by Merck:

I had been led to believe that Farnam's ingredient was supplied by Merck/MSD Agvet though that was some time ago and probably by a sales represenitive of Farnam. Also I thought Merck supplied Merial, with which you partner on Ivomec. They produce a ivermectin horse paste, Equimec that I thought should be Merk ingredient. I have to admit the relationships of the drug companies have become as confusing as my tax forms.

ST if you are still with us, I have not heard on any reports of problems with generics. I have seen where private compounders (not the large name brand "generics") have put less than the stated amount in the bottle. Joni have you heard of any specific problems with the generic ivermectin products?
DrO
Member:
Jlmule

Posted on Sunday, May 4, 2003 - 6:36 pm:

Let me just add that, at least in humans, anyone can have any reaction to anything at anytime. Most of us are not allergic to peanuts but for those that are the consequences can be devastating. Most are not allergic to dyes added to foods but some will react violently. The same must certainly be true for other species as well. It would be counter-productive and possibly financially devastating for makers of equine products to include additives to which they are aware many animals would have adverse reactions. I would never buy anything from a "fly-by-night guy on the street" but I buy and use generics all the time.

Leslie
Member:
Karene

Posted on Monday, May 5, 2003 - 6:06 pm:

The one bad reaction to an ivermectim dewormer I've encountered was to a Name Brand paste used by the owner of the barn at which I was boarding. Her 12 year old horse had been dewormed with ivermectrin previously with no problems. This time he had a reaction that caused partial loss of sight in one eye.

I have used both name brand and generic dewormers and had no problems with either. With 5 horses to deworm, the savings I realize on the generics is not insignificant.

Having worked for a Fortune 500 company, I have first hand experience with manufacturer's "private labeling" their product's. My company fought it but the clout and threatened boycott of their products by a major retailer forced them to give in.

Since the public has gotten comfortable buying "generics", companies can recoup some of the lost market share (from people who won't pay the additional price for name brands) by offering their products under generic labels. They also know if they don't, their competitor will!

My experiences have made me feel comfortable using generic ivermectrin. (Rest assured, if I thought they were inherently more risky than name brands, no savings would make it worth the risk!) In the meantime, I can use the savings to enhance the quality of my horse's lives in other ways!

Karen
Member:
Kari

Posted on Monday, May 5, 2003 - 6:14 pm:

I received a catalog from Jeffers Equine whereas they are also marketing an ivermectin under their own name for less than seven dollars. After two calls I was advised (somewhat unconvincingly(sp) that the product was manufactured and packaged by Merial that also markets Equimectrin. I can't recall having used any products by this company, does anyone have info on the company?
Member:
Jelynn

Posted on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 9:40 am:

I am from Ontario and have been using Merial products safely for quite some time. My vet feels strongly that Merial is one of the most consistant products on the market. I have had no problems over the last 5 years with her advise and have given the paste to foals all the way up to 22 year olds.
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