Permethrin

Administration

  • Type: Pediculicide
  • Dosage Forms: Cream or lotion
  • Routes of Administration: Topical
  • Common Trade Names: Nix, Elimite

Adult Dosing

  • Scabies: apply 5% cream head to toe, leave on 8-14 hrs prior to washing with soap/water. Repeat application in 14 days if living mites still present
  • Body/pubic lice: Apply 1% cream rinse to affected areas, then wash off after 10 minutes
  • Head lice: Apply to damp, recently shampooed (but not conditioned!) hair. Saturate hair and scalp; leave on for 10min then rinse. Remove nits with nit comb. Repeat if live lice present 7 days after initial treatment

Pediatric Dosing

  • Head lice: Apply to damp, recently shampooed (but not conditioned!) hair. Saturate hair and scalp; leave on for 10min then rinse. Remove nits with nit comb. Repeat if live lice present 7 days after initial treatment
  • Scabies, >2mo: Apply cream head to toe,wash with soap/water after 8-14h. Repeat application if living mites present 14 days after initial treatment

Special Populations

Contraindications

  • Allergy to class/drug

Adverse Reactions

Serious

  • Serious reactions are rare

Common

  • Rash, erythema, pruritus, burning/stinging sensation
  • Swelling

Pharmacology

  • Topical: <2% absorbed
  • Half-life:
  • Metabolism:
  • Excretion: Renal

Mechanism of Action

  • Disrupts neuronal sodium channel current in louse/mite, leading to delayed repolarization of nerve and subsequent paralysis/death

Comments

See Also

References