Ivermectin began as a natural compound discovered in Streptomyces avermitilis, a soil-dwelling microorganism. In its earliest form, ivermectin was produced through fermentation meaning the compound was generated by the microbe itself and extracted with minimal processing. These early versions were closer to a natural biological product with fewer added chemicals and stabilizers.
Today’s ivermectin is no longer a simple microbial extract. It is mass-manufactured, refined, and chemically modified to meet pharmaceutical standards. Modern formulations commonly include Polysorbate 80, a synthetic emulsifier used to stabilize the active ingredient and keep it evenly dispersed.
Polysorbate 80 is produced through ethoxylation, a petrochemical process that can generate unwanted byproducts and oxidative stress inside the body. As a result, each dose contains not only the drug but also synthetic stabilizers the liver must break down. These additives increase the metabolic burden on detox pathways compared to its earlier, more natural form.
Polysorbate 80: What It Does
- Improves solubility
- Increases shelf stability
- Enhances absorption by helping the drug move through cell membranes
These functions make the drug more predictable in pharmaceutical settings, but there are documented concerns.
How Polysorbate 80 Is Made
- Polysorbate 80 is created through a multistep industrial chemical process:
- Sorbitol is reacted with ethylene oxide (a petrochemical).
- This creates polyoxyethylene sorbitan, a compound used in emulsifiers.
- This intermediate is then reacted with oleic acid.
- The result: Polysorbate 80, a synthetic compound not found anywhere in nature.
This ethoxylation process can generate 1,4-dioxane, a byproduct associated with oxidative stress and known to require detoxification through Phase I enzymes in the liver.
Your body sees this as a toxin, so your liver has to work harder to break it down. This extra workload can increase stress on your liver’s detox system, especially if you’re already dealing with other chemicals, medications, or environmental toxins.
Research has identified several issues associated with Polysorbate 80:
- Disruption of cell membranes
- Increased intestinal permeability
- Potential effects on reproductive tissues and immune function
- Additional detox stress on the liver and kidneys
While the additive serves a functional purpose, its biological impact should not be overlooked especially when used frequently or outside medical supervision.
