A person weighing 222 lbs is suppose to take 3 cc of ivermectin

Checked on January 25, 2026
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Executive summary

A standard human ivermectin dose for many indications is weight‑based, commonly about 200 micrograms (0.2 mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight as a single oral dose (Mayo Clinic, FDA/Stromectol) [1] [2]. Converting 222 pounds to kilograms yields about 100.7 kg, so a 0.2 mg/kg dose would be roughly 20 mg of ivermectin — far higher than “3 cc” of an unlabelled preparation and equivalent to about seven 3 mg human tablets (each tablet = 3 mg) when rounded to available tablet strengths [3] [1].

1. Why the simple statement “3 cc” is clinically meaningless for human ivermectin dosing

Human ivermectin dosing is expressed in micrograms per kilogram or milligrams per kilogram, not “cc,” which measures volume; the potency of any suspension or paste depends on drug concentration, so “3 cc” only has meaning if the formulation and ivermectin concentration per cc are known — a point highlighted in consumer descriptions of veterinary pastes and crowd-sourced calculators that show wildly varying concentrations in horse‑paste syringes [4]. Clinical references and product labels for human ivermectin (Stromectol) give doses in mcg/kg or mg, not in cc, and emphasize taking tablets on an empty stomach with water [1] [5].

2. The standard clinical dose and how it applies to a 222 lb person

Authoritative sources state typical single doses of ivermectin for many parasitic infections are approximately 150–200 micrograms per kilogram, with 200 mcg/kg cited for strongyloidiasis and 150 mcg/kg for onchocerciasis (FDA label/DailyMed, Mayo Clinic) [5] [1]. Using the 200 mcg/kg standard and converting weight (222 lb ≈ 100.7 kg; 1 kg ≈ 2.2 lb) yields ~20.1 mg (0.2 mg × 100.7 kg) [3] [1]. Because human tablets commonly come in 3 mg increments, that practical dose would be rounded to the nearest feasible tablet count, delivering about 21 mg (seven 3 mg tablets) if following that calculation [1].

3. Dosing ranges, indications and variability clinicians use

Different conditions and guideline sources list dose ranges: single doses are often between 0.15 and 0.25 mg/kg for many uses, and dermatology protocols may use 250 µg/kg for lice or repeat dosing for scabies, so the exact mg required can vary by indication and protocol (SingleCare, Minars Dermatology, Drugs.com) [6] [7] [8]. Some research and trial contexts test much higher or multiple-day regimens, but those are controlled studies with monitoring and are not general prescriptions for self‑treatment [9].

4. Why using veterinary “horse paste” or a fixed “cc” measurement is risky

Horse‑paste products are manufactured with concentrations and excipients meant for animals; online calculators and anecdotal guides attempt to convert pounds into cc using those concentrations, but these are not standardized and carry substantial risk of overdose or underdose when applied to humans [4]. Human prescribing information and clinical dosing guidance come from tablet strengths and mcg/kg calculations validated in human trials and regulatory labeling; substituting volume of a non‑human formulation is unsupported by the product monographs and safety data [1] [5].

5. Practical, safety and advisory notes

Accurate dosing requires knowing the indication, the mcg/kg target, and the formulation strength; clinicians calculate mg from weight and prescribe tablets or a pharmacy‑prepared human formulation, not a “cc” of veterinary paste [1] [5]. Poison control and medical guidance are recommended in cases of uncertainty or adverse effects, and product labels caution that dosing must be determined by a healthcare provider — inappropriate dosing can be ineffective or harmful [3] [1]. The reporting here is limited to the cited clinical sources and formulation notes; there is no validated human dosing regimen in these sources that justifies “3 cc” as a standard dose for a 222 lb person [1] [4].

Want to dive deeper?
How is ivermectin dose calculated from body weight and tablet strengths in clinical practice?
What are the risks and reported adverse events from using veterinary ivermectin formulations in humans?
How do dosing recommendations differ among indications (strongyloidiasis, onchocerciasis, scabies) for ivermectin?