Type of medicine: scabicide; pediculicide; anti-lice treatment
Generic and brand names: permethrin, topical; Elimite; Nix (There may be other brand names for this medicine.)
This medicine comes in two forms, a cream used to treat scabies and a liquid (creme rinse) used to prevent or treat head lice. Both are used externally on the skin or hair.
Before using this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you are allergic to:
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Use this medicine exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. One application is usually enough. Do not use this medicine more often or longer than directed.
Keep this medicine away from your eyes, mouth, nose, and the inside of your ears. Do not use this medicine on your eyebrows or eyelashes. Talk with your healthcare provider if you have lice on your eyebrows or eyelashes. If the medicine gets in your eyes, flush them well with water for 3 to 5 minutes.
Read the instructions that come in the medicine package.
For hair: Use the medicine for head lice after you shampoo your hair, rinse it with water, and towel-dry it so it is damp but not wet. Use a shampoo without a conditioner, which can make this medicine less effective. Shake the medicine well. Thoroughly wet your hair and scalp with the liquid medicine and leave it on for 10 minutes, then rinse it off with warm water. Use a fine-toothed comb to remove the nits (lice eggs). If the hair dries during combing, dampen it slightly with water. Follow the instruction in the medicine package carefully.
For skin: Use the medicine for scabies by massaging it thoroughly into your skin from your head to the soles of your feet, or as directed by your healthcare provider. Remove the cream after 8 to 14 hours by washing with a mild soap and water.
To prevent re-infection, all clothing, bedding, and towels must be laundered in hot water and dried in a hot dryer. Contaminated clothing that cannot be washed or dry cleaned should be sealed in a plastic bag for 2 weeks to make sure that you have killed all of the nits.
The medicine may be reapplied after 1 week if the lice or mites reappear. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.
An acute overdose of this medicine is not likely to cause life-threatening symptoms. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center at 800-222-1222.
Do not use this medicine on infants less than 2 months of age unless instructed by your healthcare provider.
This medicine is for external use only. If it is swallowed accidentally, contact your healthcare provider or get emergency medical help.
Itching caused by scabies or head lice may increase temporarily after you use this medicine. This does not mean that you need more medicine. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
Head lice spread easily, so your healthcare provider may want to treat all members of your household at the same time. Clean combs and brushes well by soaking them in a disinfectant such as Lysol. All clothing, bedding, and towels must be washed in hot water and dried in a hot dryer. Contaminated clothing that cannot be washed or dry cleaned should be sealed in a plastic bag for 2 weeks to make sure that you have killed all of the lice.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are using this medicine.
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): Severe skin or scalp irritation, itching, or burning that continues.
Mild temporary itching, burning, stinging, swelling, rash, or scalp numbness may occur after you put the medicine on.
No significant drug interactions have been reported.
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 it away from heat. Store it out of the reach of children and away from medicines that are swallowed. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
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.
