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Lindane topical

Generic name: lindane topical [ LIN-dane ]
Dosage forms: topical lotion (1%), topical shampoo (1%)
Drug class: Topical anti-infectives

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Jun 16, 2023. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is 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.

lindane topical 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.

Lindane topical side effects

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:

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.

Lindane topical side effects (more detail)

Warnings

Although lindane topical 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.

Before taking this medicine

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:

Do not use this medicine on a premature baby.

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

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.

How should I use lindane topical?

Use only one application of lindane topical. 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.

Lindane topical dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Scabies:

Apply 30 mL of lotion as a thin layer over all skin from the neck down; wash off in 8 to 12 hours.

Maximum Dose: Larger adults may require up to 60 mL.

Comments: Use only once; do not re-treat.

Use: Treatment of scabies (infestations of Sarcoptes scabei) and their ova in patients who cannot tolerate or who have failed treatment with other approved therapies.

Usual Adult Dose for Lice:

Apply 30 mL of shampoo directly to dry hair without adding water and give special attention to the fine hairs along the neck; after 4 minutes, add small quantities of water to hair until a good lather forms then immediately rinse all the lather away.

Maximum Dose: Up to 60 mL may be needed for long and dense hair.

Comments:
-Avoid unnecessary contact of lather with other body surfaces.
-Use only once; do not re-treat.

Use: Treatment of head lice (infestations of Pediculosis humanis capitis), crab lice (Pthirus pubis), and their ova in patients who cannot tolerate or who have failed treatment with other approved therapies.

Usual Geriatric Dose for Lice:

Use with caution.

Usual Geriatric Dose for Scabies:

Use with caution.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Lice:

-Premature Infants: Contraindicated.
-Infants and Children: Use with caution.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Scabies:

-Premature Infants: Contraindicated.
-Infants and Children: Use with caution.

Detailed Lindane topical dosage information

What happens if I miss a dose?

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

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 if anyone has accidentally swallowed the medication. An overdose of lindane topical can be fatal.

What should I avoid while using lindane topical?

Avoid using other skin products on the areas you treat with lindane topical or it could pass through your skin too easily.

Do not let anyone touch the skin where you applied lindane topical, especially a child or a pregnant woman. This medicine can be absorbed through the skin of another person who comes into contact with your treated skin.

Parasite infestations are highly contagious. Using this medicine will not prevent you from passing lice or scabies to other people. Avoid sexual or intimate contact until the infestation has cleared up. Also avoid sharing hair combs, hair accessories, hats, clothing, bed linens, and other articles of personal use.

What other drugs will affect lindane topical?

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with lindane topical, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Lindane topical drug interactions (more detail)

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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