Lindane Topical

Lindane is an anti-parasite medicine. Lindane topical (for the skin) kills certain parasites that live or lay eggs in your skin or hair.

Lindane topical shampoo is used to treat head lice or pubic lice ("crabs"). Lindane topical lotion is used to treat scabies.

This medicine is for use in adults and children who weigh at least 110 pounds. Lindane topical should be used only if other medicines cannot be given, or have been tried without success.

Lindane topical may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Although this medicine is useful in treating parasites, lindane is a poison that can be absorbed through your skin. Misuse of lindane topical can cause serious or fatal side effects.

You should not use lindane topical if you have an uncontrolled seizure disorder, crusted scabies, or other skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis.

Do not use this medicine on a premature baby.

Although this medicine is useful in treating parasites, lindane is a poison that can be absorbed through your skin and affect your brain or nerves. Misuse of lindane topical can cause serious or fatal side effects.

You should not use lindane topical if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• an uncontrolled seizure disorder;
• crusted scabies; or
• other skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis.

Do not use this medicine on a premature baby.

To make sure lindane topical is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• a history of seizures;
• a history of head injury or brain/spinal cord tumor;
• HIV or AIDS;
• cirrhosis or other liver disease; or
• if you drink large amounts of alcohol.

It is not known whether lindane topical will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this medicine without a doctor's advice if you are pregnant.

Lindane topical can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not breast-feed within 24 hours after using lindane topical. If you use a breast pump during this time, throw out any milk you collect. Do not feed it to your baby.

Do not use this medicine on a child without medical advice.

Lindane , formerly known as gamma benzene hexachloride, is an insecticide and is used to 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.

Lindane is poisonous. Keep it away from the mouth because it is harmful and may be fatal if swallowed.

Use lindane only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of absorption through the skin and the chance of lindane poisoning.

Keep lindane away from the eyes. If you should accidentally get some in your eyes, flush them thoroughly with water at once and contact your doctor.

Do not use lindane on open wounds, such as cuts or sores on the skin or scalp. To do so may increase the chance of lindane poisoning.

When applying lindane to another person, you should wear plastic disposable or rubber gloves made of latex or vinyl, especially if you are pregnant or are breast-feeding. Do not use natural latex gloves because lindane can go through those gloves and be absorbed by your skin. Wash hands very well after applying the lotion. This will prevent lindane from 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 a toothbrush to get the lindane lotion under fingernails, and throw out the toothbrush when finished.

Do not cover the area completely. Use a light clothing.

Lindane comes with patient directions. Be sure that you read them very carefully before using lindane. If you have any questions check with your healthcare professional.

Your sexual partner or partners, especially, and all members of your household may need to be treated also, since the infestation may spread to persons in close contact. If these persons have not been checked for an infestation or if 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 skin well before applying it.
• Apply enough lindane to your dry skin to cover the entire skin surface from 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 product on 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 sure the 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 the bath water in which you are sitting. To do so may increase the chance of absorption through the skin. When you rinse out the shampoo, be sure to thoroughly rinse your 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 short hair, 1½ ounces for medium length hair, and 2 ounces or less for long hair) to thoroughly wet the hair and skin or scalp of the affected and surrounding hairy areas.
• Thoroughly rub the shampoo into the hair and skin or scalp and allow to remain in place for 4 minutes. Then, use just enough water to work up a good lather.
• Rinse thoroughly and dry with a clean towel.
• When the hair is dry, comb with a fine-toothed comb to remove any remaining nits (eggs) or nit shells.
• Do not use as a regular shampoo.

Dosing

The dose of lindane will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of lindane. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For cream and lotion dosage forms:
  • For scabies:
    • Adults and children—Apply to the affected area(s) of the skin one 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

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause 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 side effects occur:

• Convulsions (seizures)
• dizziness, clumsiness, or unsteadiness
• fast heartbeat
• muscle cramps
• nervousness, restlessness, or irritability
• vomiting
• skin irritation not present before use of lindane
• skin rash

After you stop using lindane, it may still produce some side effects that need attention. During this period of time, check with your doctor immediately if you notice the following side effects:

Serious side effects have resulted in patients using lindane. Sometime it has occurred even when used according to the labeled directions. Serious side effects have been reported following lindane use with 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 may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Lindane is an anti-parasite medicine. Lindane topical (for the skin) kills certain parasites that live or lay eggs in your skin or hair.

Lindane topical shampoo is used to treat head lice or pubic lice ("crabs"). Lindane topical lotion is used to treat scabies.

This medicine is for use in adults and children who weigh at least 110 pounds. Lindane topical should be used only if other medicines cannot be given, or have been tried without success.

Lindane topical may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Use only one application of this medicine. Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Do not take by mouth. Topical medicine is for use only on the skin. Do not use this medicine on skin sores or open wounds. If the medicine gets in your eyes or mouth, rinse with water.

Lindane topical can cause serious or fatal side effects. Do not use this medicine to treat any condition that has not been checked by your doctor.

Your doctor should perform lab tests to make sure you have a condition that can be treated with lindane topical. Your sexual partner and other people you have close contact with should also be checked and treated by their own doctor.

Do not share this medicine with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.

Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

After you wash your skin or hair, wait at least 1 hour before using lindane topical. Do not apply any other lotion, shampoo, conditioner, cream, or oil. Apply lindane topical only to dry skin or hair.

Shake the medicine well just before using it.

If you are putting lindane topical on another person, wear special gloves made of nitrile, latex with neoprene, or sheer vinyl. Do not use natural latex gloves because more lindane can go through that kind of glove.

Wash your hands thoroughly after applying the medicine.

Each bottle of this medicine is for one use only. Throw away after one use, in a place children cannot get to. Do not keep leftover lindane topical.

Do not leave this medicine on your skin for more than 12 hours.

Itching may continue or get worse when the scabies begin to die. Call your doctor if you still have itching longer than 4 weeks after you finish treatment.

Wash all recently-worn clothing and hats, and bed linens, as well as hair brushes and combs in very hot water.

If you get scabies or lice again a few weeks or months after using lindane topical, do not use this medicine again. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about a different medicine. Using too much lindane topical in a short span of time can cause serious side effects or death.

Store lindane topical at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Since lindane topical is used as a single dose, it does not have a daily dosing schedule.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Lindane topical can cause serious or fatal side effects, especially if you use the medicine too often or for longer than recommended.

Call your doctor or go to an emergency room if you have:

• severe dizziness;

• a seizure (convulsions); or

• any problems with vision, speech, or balance.

In rare cases, some people using lindane topical have had a seizure after only one use.

Children and older adults can absorb larger amounts of this medicine through the skin and may be more likely to have side effects.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.