LINDANE (Topical)
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.?
In Canada?
Generic name product may be available in the U.S. and Canada.
Another commonly used name for lindane is gamma benzene hexachloride.
Category
Description
Lindane (LIN-dane),formerly known as gamma benzene hexachloride, is an insecticide and is usedto treat scabies and lice infestations.
Lindane cream and lotion are usually used to treat only scabies infestation.Lindane shampoo is used to treat only lice infestations.
Lindane is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the U.S.and some forms are available in Canada without a prescription in followingdosage forms:
Topical- Cream (U.S. and Canada)
- Lotion (U.S. and Canada)
- Shampoo (U.S. and Canada)
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine,the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do.This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For lindane, the followingshould be considered:
Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to lindane. Also tell your health care professional if youare allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives or dyes.
Pregnancy?Lindane has not been studied in pregnant women. Youand your doctor must discuss the risks and benefits of this medicine beforeusing it. Lindane is absorbed through the skin of pregnant women and couldpossibly cause toxic effects in the central nervous system (CNS) of the unbornbaby. Use lindane only as directed by your doctor. Donot use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longertime than your doctor ordered.. Studies in animals have shown thatlindane can cause birth defects and other problems.
Breast-feeding?Lindane is absorbed through the mother's skin andis present in breast milk. There may be a risk of serious side effects iflindane from breast milk is eaten by your baby or from skin absorption frommother to baby. You should interrupt breast-feeding by expressing the milkand throwing the milk away for at least 24 hours following use Be sure youhave discussed the risks and benefits of this medicine with your doctor.
Children?Infants and children or people who weigh less than110 pounds (50 kilograms) are especially sensitive to the effects of lindane.This may increase the chance of serious side effects during treatment. Besure you have discussed the risks and benefits of using this medicine withyour doctor. In addition, use of lindane is not to be used in premature infants.
Older adults?Elderly people or people who weigh less than 110pounds (50 kilograms) are especially sensitive to the effects of lindane.This may increase the chance of serious side effects during treatment. Besure you have discussed the risks and benefits of this medicine with yourdoctor.
Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are usinglindane, it is especially important that your health care professional knowif you are using any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter[OTC]) medicine.
- Antidepressants-medicine used for depression or
- Antipsychotics-medicine used to treat mental disorders or
- Anticholinesterases (donepezil [e.g., Aricept], galantamine [e.g.,Reminyl], rivastigmine [e.g., Exelon], and tacrine [e.g., Cognex]) or
- Choloroquine (e.g., Aralen) or
- Cyclosporine (e.g., Sandimmune) or
- Imipenem (e.g., Primaxin) or
- Isoniazid (e.g., INH) or
- Meperidine (e.g., Demerol) or
- Methocarbamol (e.g., Robaxin) or
- Mycophenolate mofetil (e.g., CellCept) or
- Penicillins-medicines used to treat infections or
- Pyrimethamine (e.g., Daraprim) or
- Quinolone antibiotics-medicines to treat infections or
- Radiographic contrast agents-Dye used for certain x-ray proceduresor
- Tacrolimus (e.g., Prograf) or
- Theophylline-medicine used to help you breathe better?Thesemedicines can cause certain side effects when used at the same time as lindaneand they should be used together very carefully.
- Skin, scalp, or hair preparations such as creams, lotions, ointments,or oil?Using these at the same time as lindane may cause more lindaneto be absorbed through the skin
Other medical problems?The presence ofother medical problems may affect the use of lindane. Make sure you tell yourdoctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Alcohol use that is excessive, or
- Brain tumor or
- Head injuries, history of, or
- HIV Infection or
- Liver disease, or
- Seizures, history of
- Suddenly stopping the regular use of alcohol or sedatives ?Patientswith these conditions should use lindane carefully because these patientshave a greater risk of having a seizure
- Hypersensitivity to lindane
- Seizure disorder?This medicine should not be used in patientswith seizure disorders
- Skin conditions?This medicine should not be used in peoplewith crusted scabies, atopic dermatitis, or psoriasis. These problems of theskin could cause more lindane to be absorbed in your body and result in seriousside effects.
Proper Use of This Medicine
Lindane is poisonous. Keep it away from the mouth because it is harmful andmay be fatal if swallowed.
Use lindane only as directed by your doctor. Do notuse more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer timethan your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of absorption throughthe skin and the chance of lindane poisoning.
Keep lindane away from the eyes. If you shouldaccidentally get some in your eyes, flush them thoroughly with water at onceand contact your doctor.
Do not use lindane on open wounds, such as cuts orsores on the skin or scalp. To do so may increase the chance of lindanepoisoning.
When applying lindane to another person, you shouldwear plastic disposable or rubber gloves made of latex or vinyl, especiallyif you are pregnant or are breast-feeding. Do not use natural latex glovesbecause lindane can go through those gloves and be absorbed by your skin.Wash hands very well after applying the lotion. This will prevent lindanefrom being absorbed through your skin. If you have any questions about this,check with your healthcare professional.
Put lindane lotion under fingernails, and trim fingernails short. Use atoothbrush to get the lindane lotion under fingernails, and throw out thetoothbrush when finished.
Do not cover the area completely. Use a light clothing.
Lindane comes with patient directions. Be sure that you readthem very carefully before using lindane. If you have any questions checkwith your healthcare professional.
Your sexual partner or partners, especially, and all members of your householdmay need to be treated also, since the infestation may spread to persons inclose contact. If these persons have not been checked for an infestation orif you have any questions about this, check with your healthcare professional
To use the cream or lotion form of lindane for scabies:
- If your skin has any cream, lotion, ointment, or oil on it, wash,rinse, and dry your skin well before applying lindane.
- If you take a warm bath or shower before using lindane, dry the skinwell before applying it.
- Apply enough lindane to your dry skin to cover the entire skin surfacefrom the neck down, including the soles of your feet, and rub in well.
- Leave lindane on for 8 to 12 hours, then remove by washing thoroughly.
To use the shampoo form of lindane for lice:
- If your hair has any cream, lotion, ointment, or oil-based producton it, shampoo, rinse, and dry your hair and scalp well before applying lindane.
- If you apply this shampoo in the shower or in the bathtub, make surethe shampoo is not allowed to run down on other parts of your body. Also,do not apply this shampoo in a bathtub where the shampoo may run into thebath water in which you are sitting. To do so may increase the chance of absorptionthrough the skin. When you rinse out the shampoo, be sure to thoroughly rinseyour entire body also to remove any shampoo that may have gotten on it.
- Apply enough shampoo to your dry hair (1 ounce or less for shorthair, 11/2 ounces for medium length hair, and 2 ounces or less for longhair) to thoroughly wet the hair and skin or scalp of the affected and surroundinghairy areas.
- Thoroughly rub the shampoo into the hair and skin or scalp and allowto remain in place for 4 minutes. Then, use just enough water to work up agood lather.
- Rinse thoroughly and dry with a clean towel.
- When the hair is dry, comb with a fine-toothed comb to remove anyremaining nits (eggs) or nit shells.
- Do not use as a regular shampoo.
Dosing?Follow your doctor's ordersor the directions on the label. The following information includesonly the average doses of lindane. If your dose is different,do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
- For cream and lotion dosage forms:
- For scabies:
- Adults and children?Apply to the affected area(s) of the skinone time.
- Premature infants?Use is not recommended.
- For shampoo dosage form:
- For lice:
- Adults and children?Apply to the scalp or the affected area(s)of the skin one time.
- Premature infants?Use is not recommended.
Storage?To store this medicine:
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Store away from heat and direct light.
- Keep lindane from freezing.
- Do not keep outdated lindane or lindane no longer needed. Be surethat any discarded lindane is out of the reach of children.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
To helpprevent reinfestation or spreading of the infestation to other persons:
- For scabies?All recently worn underwear and pajamas and usedsheets, pillowcases, and towels should be washed in very hot water or dry-cleaned.
- For lice?All recently worn clothing and used bed linens andtowels should be washed in very hot water or dry-cleaned.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicine maycause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur,if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following sideeffects occur:
Rare
Convulsions (seizures); dizziness, clumsiness,or unsteadiness; fast heartbeat; muscle cramps; nervousness, restlessness, or irritability; vomiting; skin irritationnot present before use of lindane; skin rash
After you stop using lindane, itchingmay occur and continue for 1 to several weeks. If this continues longer oris bothersome, check with your doctor.
Serious side effects have resulted in patientsusing lindane. Sometime it has occurred even when used according to the labeleddirections. Serious side effects have been reported following lindane usewith repeat or prolonged use, but also in rare cases following a single application.You should discuss these possible effects with your doctor.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur insome patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Developed: 8/15/1994
Revised: 7/17/2003
