Dosing & Uses
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
Adverse Effects
Frequency Not Defined
Pruritus
Eye irritation
Rash
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
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.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
