Lindane (topical route)
Available brands
Kwell, Thionex, Kwellada Lotion 1%, Lindane, Pms-Lindane
About this medication
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. This product is available in the following dosage forms:
Before using this medication
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered: Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. Infants and children or people who weigh less than 110 pounds (50 kilograms) are especially sensitive to the effects of lindane. This may increase the chance of serious side effects during treatment. Be sure you have discussed the risks and benefits of using this medicine with your doctor. In addition, use of lindane is not to be used in premature infants. Elderly people or people who weigh less than 110 pounds (50 kilograms) are especially sensitive to the effects of lindane. This may increase the chance of serious side effects during treatment. Be sure you have discussed the risks and benefits of this medicine with your doctor. There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding. Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines. Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco. The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
How to use this medication
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 : To use the shampoo form of lindane for lice: The dose of this medicine 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 this medicine. 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. 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.
Disclaimer: August is a health information platform and its responses don't constitute medical advise. Always consult with a licenced medical professional near you before making any changes.