Dosing & Uses
Dosage Forms & Strengths
cream
- 5%
liquid
- 1%
lotion
- 1%
Scabies
Cream: Apply from head to toe, leave on for 8-14 hr, rinse; may reapply in 7 days if live mites reappear
Single application usually curative
Head Lice & Nits (Eggs)
Lotion/cream rinse/liquid: apply to washed hair, leave on 10 min, rinse and comb out nits and eggs; may repeat in 7 days if lice or nits still present
Single application usually curative.
Dosage Forms & Strengths
cream
- 5%
liquid
- 1%
lotion
- 1%
Scabies & Head Lice
<2 months
- Safety & efficacy not established
>2 months
- Scabies: Apply cream from head to toe; leave on for 8-14 hr, rinse; may reapply in 7 days if live mites reappear; single application usually curative
- Head Lice & Nits (Eggs): Apply lotion/cream/liquid to washed hair, leave on 10 min, rinse and comb out nits and eggs; may repeat in 7 days if lice or nits still present; single application usually curative
Adverse Effects
1-10%
Mild and transient burning and stinging (10%)
Pruritus (7%)
Warnings
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity
< 2 months of age (OTC)
Cautions
May exacerbates itching, swelling, and redness temporarily
For external use only
Avoid contact with eyes
May cause difficulty breathing or asthmatic attack in patients with ragweed allergies
Pregnancy & Lactation
Pregnancy Category: B
Lactation: Not known if distributed in breast milk; may temporarily withhold the drug while the mother is nursing
Pregnancy Categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk. C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done. D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk. X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist. NA: Information not available.Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Like natural pyrethrins, permethrin acts as a neurotoxin by depolarizing nerve cell membranes of parasites
The drug disrupts sodium ion influx through cell membrane channels by which membrane repolarization is regulated
Delayed repolarization results in paralysis of nerves in the exoskeletal respiratory muscles of parasite leading to death
Pharmacokinetics
Absorbed: Small amounts (< 2%)
Metabolism: Rapidly metabolized by ester hydrolysis to inactive metabolites
Excretion: Urine
Images
| BRAND | FORM. | UNIT PRICE | PILL IMAGE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lice Treatment (permethrin) topical
-
|
1 % liquid |  |
|
| permethrin topical
-
|
5 % cream |  |
|
| permethrin topical
-
|
5 % cream |  |
|
| permethrin topical
-
|
5 % cream |  |
|
| RID Complete Lice Elimination Kit
-
|
0.5 % aerosol |  |
|
| Nix Creme Rinse topical
-
|
1 % liquid |  |
|
| Nix Creme Rinse topical
-
|
1 % liquid |  |
Copyright © 2010 First DataBank, Inc.
Patient Handout
permethrin topical
PERMETHRIN CREAM - TOPICAL
(purr-METH-rin)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Elimite
USES: This medication is used to treat scabies, a condition caused by tiny insects called mites that infest and irritate your skin. Permethrin belongs to a class of drugs known as pyrethrins. Permethrin works by paralyzing and killing the mites and their eggs.
HOW TO USE: This medication is for use on the skin only. Apply this medication as soon as possible after it is prescribed. Apply the medicine from your head to the soles of your feet, including under your nails and in skin folds such as between the toes, as directed. Massage the cream into the skin. Do not use more medication than prescribed. Wash off the cream after 8-14 hours by showering or taking a bath.Avoid getting the cream into your eyes, nose, mouth, or vagina. If the medication gets in your eyes, flush the eyes with plenty of water. Consult your doctor if irritation lasts.Symptoms of scabies include an intense itching that is usually worse at bedtime. You may also see small, fine, wavy lines on the skin with a tiny insect at the end (a burrow). Burrows are usually found on finger/toe webs, wrists, elbows, armpits, belt line, lower buttocks, female nipples, or male genitals. Even if permethrin kills all the scabies, the dead mites can still make you itch for up to 4 weeks after treatment. Ask your doctor about other medications that may be used to soothe the itching. Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse 2 weeks after treatment. Your doctor may need to look for living mites and recommend more treatment.
SIDE EFFECTS: Skin irritation, including itching, swelling, and redness, may occur with scabies and temporarily worsen after treatment with permethrin. Mild burning or stinging may also occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.In the US -Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
PRECAUTIONS: Before using permethrin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: skin infections, asthma.Constant or forceful scratching of the skin/scalp may lead to a bacterial skin infection. Tell your doctor right away if you develop worsening redness or pus.Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before using this medication.It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk but is unlikely to harm a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
OVERDOSE: This medicine may be harmful if swallowed. If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call 1-844-764-7669. Symptoms of overdose may include: dizziness, severe headache, severe vomiting, weakness, seizures.
NOTES: Do not share this medication with others.One application is usually all that is needed. To avoid giving scabies to another person or getting it again, clothing and bed linens that have been in contact with your skin less than 2 days before treatment should be machine-washed with hot water and dried in a hot dryer for 20 minutes, dry cleaned, or removed from body contact for 72 hours.People who are in close contact with the infected person, such as members of the same household, should also be checked for scabies.
MISSED DOSE: Not applicable.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature. Keep all medications away from children and pets.Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.
Information last revised May 2024. Copyright(c) 2024 First Databank, Inc.
IMPORTANT: HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.
Formulary
Adding plans allows you to compare formulary status to other drugs in the same class.
To view formulary information first create a list of plans. Your list will be saved and can be edited at any time.
Adding plans allows you to:
- View the formulary and any restrictions for each plan.
- Manage and view all your plans together – even plans in different states.
- Compare formulary status to other drugs in the same class.
- Access your plan list on any device – mobile or desktop.
