Fixed-dose ivermectin for Mass Drug Administration: Is it time to leave the dose pole behind? Insights from an Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis

Adriana Echazu, Daniela Bonanno, Pedro Emanuel Fleitas, Julie Jacobson, Gabriela Matamoros, Charles Mwandawiro, Wendemagegn Enbiale, Áuria de Jesus, Alan Brooks and Alejandro Javier Krolewiecki

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2025, vol. 19, issue 9, 1-19

Abstract: Background: Ivermectin (IVM) is widely used in mass drug administration (MDA) programs for the control of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Current regimens rely on weight- or height-based dosing, which lead to operative challenges. This study evaluates an age-based fixed-dose regimen for IVM. Methodology: This is an individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis including anthropometric data from over 700,000 individuals, across 53 NTD-endemic countries. Fixed-dose regimens were developed based on weight distribution by age. The proportion of individuals achieving the target range dose (200–400 µg/kg) was assessed and compared to traditional dosing regimens. Principal Findings: Fixed-doses of 3 mg for pre-school children (PSAC), 9 mg for school-aged children (SAC), and 18 mg for women of reproductive age (WRA) resulted in a higher proportion of participants receiving the target dose compared to weight- and height-based regimens (79.9% vs. 32.7% and 37.3%, respectively, p

Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pntd00:0013059

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0013059

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