Ivermectin Injection 1% – Trusted Parasite Control for Cattle and Swine
Updated: Aug 22
Written by Dr. Zack Ferris in TheSkyMeds Editorial Standards
Medically reviewed by Jonathan Reed, Medical Content Reviewer Dec 28 2024
Ivermectin Injection 1% is a veterinary antiparasitic medicine used for the treatment and control of specific internal and external parasites in cattle and swine. The Durvet product contains 10 mg of ivermectin per mL and is supplied as a sterile solution for subcutaneous injection.
Its labeled uses include gastrointestinal roundworms, lungworms, lice, mange mites and several other livestock parasites, depending on the animal species.
Ivermectin Injection 1% is an animal drug, not a human ivermectin formulation. Durvet specifically warns that this product is not safe or approved for human use.
This guide explains what Ivermectin Injection 1% is, which parasites it treats, labeled cattle and swine dosing, administration, withdrawal periods, storage, parasite resistance and major safety precautions.
Ivermectin Injection 1% at a Glance
Feature | Information |
Active ingredient | Ivermectin |
Concentration | 1% / 10 mg per mL |
Product type | Veterinary antiparasitic injection |
Main species | Cattle and swine |
Route | Subcutaneous injection |
Cattle dose | 200 mcg/kg |
Swine dose | 300 mcg/kg |
Cattle withdrawal | 35 days before slaughter |
Swine withdrawal | 18 days before slaughter |
Human use | Not approved or safe for human use |
Durvet lists Ivermectin Injection 1% as a livestock parasiticide for cattle and swine. Durvet Ivermectin Injection 1% product information
What Is Ivermectin Injection 1%?
Ivermectin Injection 1% is a ready-to-use injectable veterinary formulation containing 10 mg of ivermectin in every 1 mL of solution.
Ivermectin belongs to a class of antiparasitic medicines called macrocyclic lactones.
It works by binding to specific chloride channels in susceptible parasites. This disrupts nerve and muscle activity, leading to paralysis and death of the parasite.
The formulation discussed here is specifically labeled for veterinary use.
The current Durvet product is listed on DailyMed as an OTC animal drug approved under ANADA #200-437. Official DailyMed label for Durvet Ivermectin Injection
For a general explanation of ivermectin's antiparasitic mechanism, see How Ivermectin Works in the Body: Mechanism of Action Explained Simply.
Who Makes Durvet Ivermectin Injection 1%?
The product is labeled by Durvet, Inc.
Current DailyMed information identifies:
Labeler: Durvet, Inc.
Registrant/manufacturer connection: Norbrook Laboratories Limited
FDA abbreviated new animal drug application: ANADA #200-437
Durvet currently markets the product in multiple vial sizes for livestock parasite control.
What Parasites Does Ivermectin Injection Treat in Cattle?
For cattle, the label covers multiple internal and external parasites.
Gastrointestinal Roundworms
These include susceptible species of worms affecting the gastrointestinal tract, including several important cattle nematodes.
Examples include species belonging to groups such as:
Ostertagia
Haemonchus
Trichostrongylus
Cooperia
Oesophagostomum
The exact species and life stages covered should always be checked against the current product label.
Lungworms
Ivermectin Injection is labeled for treatment and control of susceptible cattle lungworms such as
Dictyocaulus viviparus.
Cattle Grubs
The product can control cattle grubs caused by Hypoderma species.
However, timing matters significantly when treating cattle grubs.
Killing certain migrating larvae while they are located near the esophagus or vertebral canal may cause serious host-parasite reactions. Veterinary guidance is therefore important when treating cattle with known grub exposure.
Sucking Lice
Ivermectin Injection is active against labeled species of sucking lice in cattle.
Mange Mites
The product is also labeled for specific mange-mite infestations.
What Parasites Does It Treat in Swine?
In swine, Ivermectin Injection 1% is labeled for treatment and control of:
Gastrointestinal roundworms
Lungworms
Lice
Mange mites
Important labeled parasites include Ascaris suum, Hyostrongylus rubidus, Oesophagostomum species, Strongyloides ransomi, Metastrongylus lungworms, Haematopinus suis lice and Sarcoptes scabiei mites.
The Durvet product page provides the current species-level indications. Durvet livestock indications
Ivermectin Injection 1% Dosage for Cattle
The labeled cattle dose is 200 micrograms of ivermectin per kilogram of body weight.
Because the solution contains 10 mg of ivermectin per mL, this corresponds to:
1 mL per 110 lb (50 kg) of body weight.
Cattle Dose Reference
Cattle Weight | Injection Volume |
220 lb | 2 mL |
330 lb | 3 mL |
440 lb | 4 mL |
550 lb | 5 mL |
660 lb | 6 mL |
770 lb | 7 mL |
880 lb | 8 mL |
990 lb | 9 mL |
1,100 lb | 10 mL |
The current label specifies a maximum of 10 mL at a single injection site.
Animals should be weighed as accurately as practical. Underdosing can reduce effectiveness and may contribute to parasite resistance.
Ivermectin Injection 1% Dosage for Swine
The labeled swine dose is higher on a body-weight basis:
300 micrograms of ivermectin per kilogram of body weight.
For the 1% formulation, this corresponds to:
1 mL per 75 lb of body weight.
Swine Dose Reference
Swine Weight | Injection Volume |
19 lb | 0.25 mL |
38 lb | 0.5 mL |
75 lb | 1 mL |
150 lb | 2 mL |
225 lb | 3 mL |
300 lb | 4 mL |
375 lb | 5 mL |
450 lb | 6 mL |
Using a current body weight is important because routine underdosing may contribute to treatment failure and antiparasitic resistance.
How Is Ivermectin Injection Given to Cattle?
For cattle, the product is labeled for subcutaneous injection only.
The injection is placed under loose skin in front of or behind the shoulder.
The product should not be administered intravenously or intramuscularly.
Sterile equipment and appropriate injection-site sanitation are important because injection-site infections can occur. Current labeling specifically notes the risk of clostridial infection at cattle injection sites.
How Is It Given to Swine?
For swine, Ivermectin Injection is administered subcutaneously in the neck, immediately behind the ear according to label directions.
Animals should be appropriately restrained and sterile injection equipment should be used.
Some swine may show mild, temporary discomfort after subcutaneous administration.
Is One Treatment Enough?
It depends on the parasite, exposure and herd-management situation.
Ivermectin can be highly effective against susceptible parasites, but parasite control is not simply a matter of repeatedly dosing animals on a fixed schedule.
Factors include:
Which parasites are present
Parasite life cycle
Environmental contamination
Reinfection risk
Herd management
Previous dewormer use
Local resistance patterns
Current labeling recommends using fecal examinations or other diagnostic information when deciding whether a dewormer is appropriate and monitoring treatment effectiveness after use.
Swine Treatment Program Considerations
The product label gives additional guidance for swine herd parasite control.
Sows
Treatment may be performed prior to farrowing, preferably 7–14 days beforehand, to help minimize transmission of certain parasites or mites to piglets.
Gilts
The label describes treatment approximately 7–14 days before breeding and again before farrowing when appropriate.
Boars
Frequency depends on parasite exposure, with the label describing treatment at least twice yearly in relevant management programs.
Feeder Pigs
Weaner and feeder pigs may be treated before being placed in clean quarters.
Animals that return to contaminated environments can become reinfected and may require reassessment or retreatment.
Does Ivermectin Kill Louse Eggs?
Not necessarily.
The swine label specifically explains that louse eggs are not affected by ivermectin injection and may take up to approximately three weeks to hatch.
This means lice appearing later do not automatically prove that the original treatment had no activity.
Veterinary evaluation can help determine whether retreatment is necessary.
How Quickly Does It Control Mange Mites?
Ivermectin has persistent drug activity that can help control swine mite infestations through the parasite life cycle.
However, the label states that the effect is not immediate.
Treated pigs should therefore be protected from reinfestation from untreated animals or contaminated facilities.
The label advises that pigs generally should not be moved into clean quarters or mixed with uninfested pigs for approximately one week after treatment.
Withdrawal Time for Cattle
For food-producing animals, withdrawal times are a critical safety requirement.
Current labeling states:
Do not treat cattle within 35 days of slaughter.
The product should also not be used in female dairy cattle of breeding age where milk is intended for human consumption, because an appropriate milk withdrawal time has not been established.
It should not be used in calves intended for veal.
Withdrawal Time for Swine
Current labeling states:
Do not treat swine within 18 days of slaughter.
This withdrawal period must be respected so drug residues decline appropriately before the animal enters the human food supply.
Is Ivermectin Injection 1% FDA Approved?
Yes—but the wording matters.
The Durvet veterinary product is an FDA-approved animal drug under ANADA #200-437.
That does not mean the injectable livestock product is approved for human use.
The product is labeled specifically for cattle, swine and certain additional animal uses described on the veterinary label.
Current DailyMed labeling identifies Durvet's product as an OTC animal drug with subcutaneous administration.
Ivermectin Injection 1% Is Not for Human Use
This is the most important safety distinction on the page.
Durvet Ivermectin Injection 1% is not approved or considered safe for human use.
Durvet states that its veterinary ivermectin products are formulated and labeled for animals and warns that human use can cause severe injury or death.
Veterinary ivermectin formulations can differ from human prescription products in:
Concentration
Formulation
Route of administration
Inactive ingredients
Dosing
Manufacturing and regulatory labeling
Human ivermectin should only be used in formulations intended for humans and according to appropriate medical guidance.
Do Not Use It in Unlisted Animal Species
The label warns against using this cattle-and-swine formulation in animal species not covered by the label.
Severe adverse reactions, including fatalities in dogs, have been associated with inappropriate exposure to some ivermectin livestock products.
A veterinarian should be consulted before using ivermectin in any species not specifically covered by the product label.
Injection-Site Reactions
Transient discomfort has been reported in some cattle.
A low incidence of soft-tissue swelling can also occur at the injection site and may resolve without treatment.
However, serious injection-site infection can occur.
Veterinary assessment is appropriate if there is:
Significant swelling
Increasing pain
Heat
Discharge
Fever
Evidence of systemic illness
Sterile injection technique helps reduce infection risk.
Parasite Resistance: Why More Deworming Is Not Always Better
Parasite resistance has become an important concern in livestock management.
Current ivermectin labeling warns that resistance can develop to any dewormer and has already been reported across multiple antiparasitic drug classes.
Responsible parasite control can involve:
Appropriate parasite diagnosis
Current body-weight estimates
Avoiding underdosing
Using treatment only when appropriate
Fecal testing
Monitoring treatment response
Integrating pasture and herd management
Working with a veterinarian on resistance management
A fecal egg count reduction test may be useful for assessing whether a dewormer remains effective in a herd.
When Should Cattle With Grubs Be Treated?
Cattle-grub treatment deserves special attention.
Ivermectin can kill Hypoderma larvae, but killing larvae while they are migrating through certain sensitive body locations may trigger severe reactions.
For example, label information warns that killing larvae around:
The esophagus may lead to salivation or bloat
The vertebral canal may contribute to staggering or paralysis
Treatment timing should therefore be discussed with a veterinarian in areas where cattle grubs occur.
How Should Ivermectin Injection 1% Be Stored?
The current DailyMed label states:
Store at 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C)
Protect the product from light
Follow current package instructions after the vial is first punctured
This corrects the older version of this blog, which listed only 68°F to 77°F.
Always follow the storage information on the actual product package because labeling can be updated.
What Package Sizes Are Available?
Durvet currently lists:
50 mL
250 mL
500 mL
The appropriate package size depends on herd size and administration equipment.
The official Durvet page should be used to confirm currently marketed sizes. Durvet package information
Environmental Safety
Ivermectin can affect organisms in the environment.
Label information notes that free ivermectin may adversely affect fish and certain aquatic organisms.
Users should avoid contaminating:
Lakes
Streams
Ponds
Other water sources
Drug containers should also be disposed of according to label instructions and applicable local requirements.
Ivermectin Injection vs Human Ivermectin Tablets
These products should not be treated as interchangeable.
Feature | Veterinary Injection 1% | Human Ivermectin Tablets |
Intended species | Livestock | Humans |
Form | Injectable solution | Oral tablet |
Concentration | 10 mg/mL | Fixed tablet strength |
Typical route | Subcutaneous | Oral |
Regulatory label | Animal drug | Human drug |
Dosing | Livestock-specific | Human condition-specific |
Human use of livestock product | No | According to prescription/medical guidance |
If you are researching human formulations, use a separate human-focused resource such as Ivermectin Dosage Chart for Adults: US Medical Reference Guide.
Conclusion
Ivermectin Injection 1% for cattle and swine is a broad-spectrum veterinary antiparasitic product used against several important internal and external livestock parasites.
Its value depends on more than simply administering a dewormer. Correct animal identification, accurate body weight, labeled dosing, proper subcutaneous administration, withdrawal periods, parasite monitoring and resistance management are all important parts of responsible use.
Durvet's Ivermectin Injection 1% is an FDA-approved animal drug, but it must never be presented or used as a human injectable ivermectin product.
For current dosing, warnings and administration instructions, livestock owners should follow the product label and consult a veterinarian when parasite diagnosis, resistance or treatment timing is uncertain.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does 1% ivermectin injection mean?
A 1% ivermectin injectable solution contains approximately 10 mg of ivermectin per mL.
2. What is Ivermectin Injection 1% used for in cattle?
It is labeled for treatment and control of specific gastrointestinal roundworms, lungworms, cattle grubs, sucking lice and mange mites.
3. What is it used for in pigs?
In swine it is labeled for gastrointestinal roundworms, lungworms, lice and mange mites.
4. What is the cattle dose?
The labeled Durvet dose is 200 mcg/kg, equivalent to 1 mL per 110 lb (50 kg) of body weight.
5. What is the swine dose?
The labeled dose is 300 mcg/kg, approximately 1 mL per 75 lb of body weight.
6. Where is ivermectin injected in cattle?
The cattle label specifies subcutaneous administration under loose skin in front of or behind the shoulder.
7. Where is it injected in swine?
For swine, it is given subcutaneously in the neck, immediately behind the ear according to label directions.
8. What is the slaughter withdrawal period?
The current withdrawal periods are:
Cattle: 35 days
Swine: 18 days
9. Can it be used in dairy cattle?
The label states not to use it in female dairy cattle of breeding age where milk is intended for human consumption because a milk withdrawal period has not been established.
10. Can humans use Ivermectin Injection 1%?
No. This veterinary product is not safe or approved for human use.
11. Is Durvet Ivermectin Injection FDA approved?
It is an FDA-approved veterinary animal drug under ANADA #200-437. That approval should not be confused with approval for human use.
12. Can ivermectin resistance develop?
Yes. Parasite resistance can occur, particularly when dewormers are used improperly or animals are underdosed. Monitoring and veterinary parasite-management programs are important.
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