Option A: Pharmacist CPPA Process (No Physician Prescription Required)
Find a Participating Tennessee Pharmacy
Not every Tennessee pharmacy participates in the SB 2188 CPPA program. Participating pharmacies have a formal agreement with a supervising physician that authorizes ivermectin dispensing. Independent compounding pharmacies and some independent retail pharmacies are most likely to participate. Chain pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid) generally do not. Use our pharmacy finder or call local compounding pharmacies directly — ask if they have a CPPA for ivermectin.
Complete the Pharmacist Consultation
Upon arriving at a participating pharmacy, a licensed pharmacist will conduct a brief consultation. This screens you for contraindications including: known hypersensitivity to ivermectin or any component of the formulation, concomitant medications that interact with ivermectin (warfarin, certain antiretrovirals), pregnancy (strong contraindication), and any conditions that suggest the clinical situation exceeds CPPA scope and requires physician evaluation.
Pharmacist Documents and Dispenses
If the pharmacist determines you are an appropriate candidate within the CPPA protocol, they document the encounter and dispense the medication. You receive the ivermectin with dosing instructions. Cost: typically $50–85 for a short course. Compounded capsules at specific doses (e.g., 3mg, 6mg, 9mg) may be available for more precise weight-based dosing.
Follow the Pharmacist's Instructions
Take the medication exactly as directed. For approved uses, treatment is typically a single dose (strongyloidiasis) or two doses two weeks apart (onchocerciasis). Do not self-dose based on body weight estimates without pharmacist or physician guidance. Follow up if you have questions or experience adverse effects.
Option B: Physician Prescription
If you prefer a traditional physician consultation — or if your clinical situation requires one — a licensed Tennessee physician can prescribe ivermectin for you. This is the standard pathway for patients with:
- Confirmed or suspected parasitic infection (strongyloidiasis, onchocerciasis)
- Complex medication interactions requiring physician review
- A condition that exceeds pharmacist CPPA scope
- A preference for a physician-prescribed rather than pharmacist-authorized approach
Telehealth consultations are available for Tennessee residents. Submit your intake form, consult with a licensed physician, and receive a prescription sent to your preferred pharmacy or by mail-order compounding pharmacy.
What NOT to Do
- ✗Do not use veterinary ivermectin (horse paste, injectable veterinary formulations). Concentrations, excipients, and formulations are not regulated for human safety.
- ✗Do not purchase ivermectin from unregulated online sources without a prescription or pharmacist authorization.
- ✗Do not self-dose based on informal online dosing charts. Weight-based dosing for approved uses should be guided by a pharmacist or physician.
- ✗Do not take ivermectin if you are pregnant. It is associated with teratogenic effects in animal studies.