Type of medicine: pediculicide; scabicide
Generic and brand names: lindane, topical; Lindane Lotion; Lindane Shampoo
This medicine is used as a shampoo to kill lice in the hair and pubic area. The lotion form is used to treat scabies (mites under the skin).
Since there is the chance for serious side effects, the FDA recommends that this medicine only be used when you have already been treated with other products that did not work or if you cannot use other safer medicines.
Before using this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have:
Tell your healthcare provider if you have used lindane in the past few months.
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breastfeed for at least 24 hours after using this medicine. Pump your breast milk and throw away the milk for at least 24 hours after using this medicine.
If you are pregnant, do not apply this medicine to someone else without first talking to your healthcare provider.
Read the Medication Guide that comes in the medicine package when you start taking this medicine and each time you get a refill.
This medicine comes in lotion and shampoo forms. It is for external use only. The lotion is used on the skin. The shampoo is used on scalp and pubic hair. Read the instructions that come with the medicine.
This medicine is poisonous if swallowed. Keep this medicine away from your eyes, mouth, and nose. If the medicine does get in your eyes, flush them well with water for 3 to 5 minutes. Do not put this medicine on your face, and do not use the shampoo as a regular shampoo. An adult should supervise the use of this medicine by a child.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Use this medicine exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. Do not use more of it, use it more often, or use it longer than directed.
Wear special gloves made of nitrile, vinyl, or latex with neoprene (not regular latex) gloves, especially if you are putting this medicine on someone else. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after applying the medicine.
Do not put this medicine on open cuts or broken skin.
To use the lotion:
Use only enough of this medicine to cover the body with a thin layer of lotion. Do not leave the lotion on the skin for more than 12 hours. Cover the hands and feet of younger children to prevent sucking or licking of the lotion.
To use the shampoo:
Use this medicine only 1 time, unless otherwise directed by your healthcare provider. After you use the medicine, close the container tightly. Dispose of the container carefully, out of the reach of children.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: tremors, restlessness, seizures.
This medicine is more likely to cause severe side effects for:
Keep this medicine out of the reach of children and away from medicines that are swallowed. This medicine can cause seizures if it is swallowed. If it is accidentally swallowed, get emergency medical help right away, or call 911 for help.
After you use this medicine, itching may continue for several weeks. This is normal and does not mean that you need to use more medicine.
Do not use any other creams, ointments, or oils on your skin while you are using the lotion form of this medicine. Do not use oil treatments, or oil-based hair dressings or conditioners right before or right after applying shampoo form of this medicine. Oil may increase the risk of side effects.
Do not use this medicine for any condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give this medicine to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have a sexual partner. Lice and scabies are contagious. Your provider may treat all household members or sexual partners at the same time.
All recently worn clothing, underwear, pajamas, used sheets, pillowcases and towels should be washed in very hot water or dry-cleaned.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are using this medicine. If you need to have x-rays or scans, tell all healthcare providers who treat you that you are using this medicine.
Contact your healthcare provider if you still see live lice 7 days after treatment.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Worsened condition, dizziness, vomiting, seizures, shaking that you cannot control.
Other: Itching, redness, swelling, burning, rash, dry skin.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Because they may increase your risk of seizures, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Do not use any other creams, ointments, or oils on your skin or hair while you are using this medicine unless your healthcare provider approves. They may cause too much of this medicine to be absorbed into your skin, and you may have serious side effects.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light. Store this medicine away from medicines taken by mouth.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
