Permethrin

(per METH rin)

Is it safe for my child to take this drug?

• Not if your child is using the lotion and is younger than 2 months of age.
• Not if your child has an allergy to permethrin, chrysanthemums, or any other part of this drug.
• Be sure to let the doctor know if your child has any allergies or side effects to drugs, foods, or dyes. Make sure to tell about the allergy and what signs your child had. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.

Why does my child need this drug?

• It is used to treat lice.
• It is used to treat scabies.

How does this drug work?

• Permethrin harms the insects and treats the infection.

How is this drug given?

• Follow how to use carefully.
• Spray:
• For use on non-washable items only.
• Spray on infested part and let dry all the way.
• Vacuum rugs and carpets. Throw away vacuum cleaner bags after use.
• All other products:
• Follow how to give this drug as you have been told by your child's doctor. Do not give more than you were told to give.
• Do not give by mouth. Use on your child's skin only. Keep out of your child's mouth, nose, and eyes (may burn).
• Wash your hands before and after use.
• Clean affected part before use. Make sure to dry well.
• Wash all bedding, towels, and recently worn clothes in hot water or have them dry cleaned.
• Cream:
• Wear special gloves while putting this drug on.
• Put a thin layer on your child's skin from the neck to the toes. Put in the skin folds, creases, and spaces between the finger and toes.
• Trim fingernails short.
• Put cream under nails with a toothbrush. Throw away toothbrush after use.
• Have your child wear light clothing while this drug is on his/her skin.
• Do not let your child's skin touch anyone else's skin while wearing the cream.
• After 8 to 14 hours, fully wash cream from skin using warm, soapy water.
• Cream rinse and lotion:
• Shampoo your child's hair, rinse, and towel dry before use. Use a shampoo without a conditioner.
• Wear special gloves while putting this drug on your child.
• Shake well before use.
• Lightly coat hair and scalp.
• Work into hair and scalp gently.
• Leave on for 10 minutes.
• Do not cover head while cream rinse or lotion is on hair.
• After 10 minutes, put a little bit of warm water on hair and lather.
• Rinse fully.
• Take off gloves and wash your hands.
• Dry with a towel.
• Use special nit comb or tweezers to get rid of dead nits (lice eggs) from hair.

How long does this drug take to work?

• Permethrin cream will kill the mites and their eggs within 8 to 14 hours.
• Permethrin cream rinse and lotion will kill lice and their eggs within 10 minutes.

What do I do if my child misses a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Do not put on 2 doses or extra doses.

What safety measures do I need to take when my child is using this drug?

• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• Check all drugs your child is taking with your child's doctor. This drug may not mix well with some other drugs.
• If your child has asthma, talk with the doctor.
• Do not use tight-fitting diapers or plastic pants on a child treated in the diaper area. This may cause more drug to get into the child's body.

What are some side effects of this drug?

• Itching. Talk to the doctor about what to do.
• Scalp irritation.
• Skin irritation.

What do I need to watch for when my child is using this drug?

• Change in the health problem being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
• For unwanted side effects of this drug.

When do I need to call my child's doctor?

• If any of this news causes you to be worried, any of the unwanted side effects happen, or if your child is not better after taking this drug.
• If you think there was an overdose, call your local poison control center or ER right away.
• If your child shows signs of a very bad reaction, call your child's doctor or the ER right away. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or if your child is not acting normal.
• If your child has trouble breathing.
• If your child has any burning or tingling feelings.
• If your child has very bad skin irritation.
• If your child gets a rash.
• If your child’s health problem does not get better or if you believe your child’s health problem is worse.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

• Store at room temperature. Throw away any part not used after use.

General drug facts

• Read the package insert for more details.
• If your child has a very bad allergy, he/she needs to wear an allergy ID at all times.
• Your child may only get some products of this drug by drug order. If there are refills, call your pharmacy. If no refills are left, you may need to call your child's doctor.
• Most drugs may be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.
• In Canada, take any unused drugs to the pharmacy. Also, visit http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.
• Get rid of this drug when your child no longer needs it or if the drug is outdated.
• Do not share your child's drug with others and do not give anyone else's drug to your child.
• Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• Call your doctor for help with any side effects. If in the U.S., you may also call the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or if in Canada, you may also call Health Canada's Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Talk with the doctor before giving your child any new drug, including OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
• If you do not use a drug the right way, it may not be safe. Follow what your child’s doctor tells you.

Copyright © 1978- Lexi-Comp Inc., The Children's Hospital, Denver, CO., and Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is protected under US and international copyright law. Unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited.