Permethrin
Distilled Water, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Cellulose, polyquatemium, Diazolidinyl urea, Sodium Citrate Dihydrate, Citric Acid, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, tetrasodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol Topical gel, Permethrin Topical lotion
What is this medicine?
PERMETHRIN (per METH rin) is used to treat head lice infestations. It acts by destroying both the lice and their eggs.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
asthma
an unusual or allergic reaction to permethrin, veterinary or household insecticides, other medicines, chrysanthemums, foods, dyes, or preservatives
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
This medicine is for external use only. Do not take by mouth. Shampoo your hair with regular shampoo, rinse and towel dry. Do NOT use a shampoo with a conditioner. Shake well before applying. Apply enough medicine to your hair to wet the hair and scalp (usually about 2 tablespoons), and thoroughly rub the medicine into your hair and scalp. Make sure you get behind the ears and on the back of the neck. Keep this medicine away from your eyes. If you accidentally get some in your eyes, rinse your eyes with water right away. Leave on your hair for 10 minutes, unless directed otherwise by your doctor or health care professional. Then, rinse thoroughly with water. Dry with a clean towel. When your hair is dry, comb it with a fine toothed comb to remove any leftover nits (eggs) or nit shells. If you still have lice after one week, see your doctor or health care professional. You may need a second treatment. If you are applying this medicine to another person, wear plastic or disposable gloves to protect yourself from infestation.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 2 months old for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
This does not apply.
What may interact with this medicine?
Interactions are not expected. Do not use any other skin products on the affected area without telling your doctor or health care professional.
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
This medicine is used as a single application treatment. If live lice are observed 7 or more days after initial application, a second treatment may be needed.
Head lice can be spread from one person to another by direct contact with clothing, hats, scarves, bedding, towels, washcloths, hairbrushes, and combs. All members of your household should be examined for head lice and should receive treatment if they are found to be infected. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor or health care professional.
To prevent reinfection or spreading of the infection, the following steps should be taken: Machine wash all clothing, bedding, towels, and washcloths in very hot water and dry them using the hot cycle of a dryer for at least 20 minutes. Clothing or bedding that cannot be washed should be dry cleaned or sealed in an airtight plastic bag for 2 weeks. Shampoo any wigs or hairpieces. You should also wash all hairbrushes and combs in very hot soapy water (above 130 degrees F) for 5 to 10 minutes. Do not share your hairbrushes or combs with other people. Wash all toys in very hot water (above 130 degrees F) for 5 to 10 minutes or seal in an airtight plastic bag for 2 weeks. Also, clean the house or room by vacuuming furniture, rugs, and floors.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
itching
redness or mild swelling of the scalp
stinging or burning
tingling sensation
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Where should I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature away from heat and direct light. Do not refrigerate or freeze. After treatment, throw away any unused medicine.
Permethrin Topical cream
What is this medicine?
PERMETHRIN (per METH rin) skin cream is used to treat scabies.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
asthma
an unusual or allergic reaction to permethrin, veterinary or household insecticides, other medicines, chrysanthemums, foods, dyes, or preservatives
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
This medicine is for external use only. Do not take by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. A bath or shower is NOT recommended before applying this medicine. Thoroughly rub the cream into all skin surfaces, from your head to the soles of your feet. It is important to apply it everywhere on your body, not just where the rash is. Apply the cream between fingers and toe creases, in the folds of the wrist and waistline, in the cleft of the buttocks, on the genitals, and in the belly button. Use a toothpick to apply the cream beneath your fingernails and toenails. Nails should be cut short. If you have little or no hair, or you are applying the cream to an infant or young child, make sure you rub the cream into the neck, scalp, hairline, temples, and forehead. Leave it on for 8 to 14 hours, then remove it by bathing and shampooing. If you are applying this medicine to another person, wear plastic or disposable gloves to protect yourself from infestation. Do not get this medicine in your eyes. If you do, rinse out with plenty of cool tap water.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 2 months of age for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
This does not apply.
What may interact with this medicine?
Interactions are not expected. Do not use any other skin products on the affected area without telling your doctor or health care professional.
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
It is not unusual for itching and rash to continue for as long as 2 to 4 weeks after treatment. These symptoms may be a temporary reaction to the remains of the mites. This does not mean this cream did not work or that it needs to be reapplied. If you feel that the itching and rash is intense or if it continues beyond 4 weeks, talk to your doctor or health care professional right away.
Scabies is spread by direct skin contact with an infected person. Family members and sexual partners may require treatment with this medicine. You should discuss this with your doctor or health care professional.
Using a normal washing cycle, you should wash all clothing, towels and bed linen that has touched your skin. You do not need to rewash clean clothing that has not yet been worn. Coats, furniture, rugs, floors, and walls do not need to be cleaned in any special manner.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
itching
numbness
rash
redness or mild swelling of the skin
stinging or burning
tingling sensation
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Where should I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature away from heat and direct light. Do not refrigerate or freeze. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Permethrin Topical lotion
What is this medicine?
PERMETHRIN (per METH rin) is used to treat head lice infestations. It acts by destroying both the lice and their eggs.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
asthma
an unusual or allergic reaction to permethrin, veterinary or household insecticides, other medicines, chrysanthemums, foods, dyes, or preservatives
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
This medicine is for external use only. Do not take by mouth. Shampoo your hair with regular shampoo, rinse and towel dry. Do NOT use a shampoo with a conditioner. Shake well before applying. Apply enough medicine to your hair to wet the hair and scalp (usually about 2 tablespoons), and thoroughly rub the medicine into your hair and scalp. Make sure you get behind the ears and on the back of the neck. Keep this medicine away from your eyes. If you accidentally get some in your eyes, rinse your eyes with water right away. Leave on your hair for 10 minutes, unless directed otherwise by your doctor or health care professional. Then, rinse thoroughly with water. Dry with a clean towel. When your hair is dry, comb it with a fine toothed comb to remove any leftover nits (eggs) or nit shells. If you still have lice after one week, see your doctor or health care professional. You may need a second treatment. If you are applying this medicine to another person, wear plastic or disposable gloves to protect yourself from infestation.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 2 months old for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
This does not apply.
What may interact with this medicine?
Interactions are not expected. Do not use any other skin products on the affected area without telling your doctor or health care professional.
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
This medicine is used as a single application treatment. If live lice are observed 7 or more days after initial application, a second treatment may be needed.
Head lice can be spread from one person to another by direct contact with clothing, hats, scarves, bedding, towels, washcloths, hairbrushes, and combs. All members of your household should be examined for head lice and should receive treatment if they are found to be infected. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor or health care professional.
To prevent reinfection or spreading of the infection, the following steps should be taken: Machine wash all clothing, bedding, towels, and washcloths in very hot water and dry them using the hot cycle of a dryer for at least 20 minutes. Clothing or bedding that cannot be washed should be dry cleaned or sealed in an airtight plastic bag for 2 weeks. Shampoo any wigs or hairpieces. You should also wash all hairbrushes and combs in very hot soapy water (above 130 degrees F) for 5 to 10 minutes. Do not share your hairbrushes or combs with other people. Wash all toys in very hot water (above 130 degrees F) for 5 to 10 minutes or seal in an airtight plastic bag for 2 weeks. Also, clean the house or room by vacuuming furniture, rugs, and floors.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
itching
redness or mild swelling of the scalp
stinging or burning
tingling sensation
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Where should I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature away from heat and direct light. Do not refrigerate or freeze. After treatment, throw away any unused medicine.
Updated:
March 21, 2017
Sources:
U.S. FDA-approved Package Insert