mineral oil topical (OTC)

Brand and Other Names:Nix Ultra Shampoo

Dosing & Uses

AdultPediatric

Dosage Forms & Strengths

Shampoo

  • Various formulations

Head Lice

Apply and saturate dry hair with shampoo making sure hair close to scalp is comletely covered

Ensure coverage behind ears and on back of neck

Wait 10 minutes

Rub some water into treated hair; work up a lather (foam)

Rinse with lukewarm water until all shampoo is rinsed out

Not necessary to wash with regular shampoo

Towel dry hair

Comb hair with lice comb

May repeat after 7 days if lice or nits present

Dosage Forms & Strengths

liquid

  • Various formulations

Head Lice

<12 years

  • Safety and efficacy not established

≥12 years

  • Apply and saturate dry hair with shampoo making sure hair close to scalp is comletely covered
  • Ensure coverage behind ears and on back of neck
  • Wait 10 minutes
  • Rub some water into treated hair; work up a lather (foam)
  • Rinse with lukewarm water until all shampoo is rinsed out
  • Not necessary to wash with regular shampoo
  • Towel dry hair
  • Comb hair with lice comb
  • May repeat after 7 days if lice or nits present

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Adverse Effects

Frequency Not Defined

Pruritus

Eye irritation

Rash

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Warnings

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to mineral oil

Pubic lice treatment

Cautions

Not for scalp that is already irritated or injured

Not for use under occlusion (covering with a cap)

Discontinue if rash occurs

Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes (mouth and nose)

May cause severe eye irritation; rinse immediately in case of eye contact

For external use only; not for swallowing

Treated hair should be kept away from fire, flame or other objects; do not smoke during use

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Pregnancy & Lactation

Pregnancy

Not studied; effects unknown

Lactation

Excretion in milk unknown; use with caution

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.

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Pharmacology

Causes respiratory spiracle blockage, which in turn may disrupt water and gas exchange; may also interfere with insects’ epicuticular wax layer; the physical effects result in mortality of adult lice and their nits; this physical mode of action makes resistance less likely

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Images

No images available for this drug.
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Patient Handout

A Patient Handout is not currently available for this monograph.
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Medscape prescription drug monographs are based on FDA-approved labeling information, unless otherwise noted, combined with additional data derived from primary medical literature.