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Home Formulary 13.0 Skin 13.10 Anti-infective skin preparations 13.10.4 Parasiticidal preparations

13.10.4 Parasiticidal preparations

Scabies

ChoiceDrug
1st choice

Permethrin cream 5%

 

 

2nd choice

Malathion 0.5% liquid in an aqueous base (Derbac- M®)

 

Prescribing Notes

  • Scabies can be treated in community pharmacy under the Pharmacy First Service
  • Refer to BAD website for Patient Information Leaflet on scabies
  • All members of the household and close contacts should be treated simultaneously
  • Aqueous preparations are preferable. Alcoholic solutions are not recommended due to irritation of excoriated skin and the genitalia
  • Treatment should be applied as per product instructions. Particular attention should be paid to the webs of fingers and toes and lotion brushed under the ends of nails.
  • Clothes, towels and bed linen should be washed at high temperatures at time of treatment
  • It is important to warn users to reapply treatment to the hands if they are washed
  • The itch, and eczema, of scabies can persist for 4-6 weeks after the infestation has been eliminated and treatment for pruritus and eczema may be required. Crotamiton, a topical corticosteroid, or a sedating antihistamine at night may be of benefit

Head Lice

  • Head lice can be managed and treated in community pharmacy under the Pharmacy First Service. A variety of products are also available to purchase over-the-counter.

Pubic Lice

ChoiceDrug
1st choicesMalathion 0.5% liquid in an aqueous base (Derbac- M®)
or
Permethrin cream 5%

Prescribing Notes

  • Refer to NICE CKS Public Lice
  • Consider referral to Genito Urinary Medicine (GUM) clinic
  • Alcoholic lotions are not recommended due to irritation of excoriated skin and genitalia
  • Refer to NICE CKS for treatment of pubic lice affecting the eye lashes
  • A different insecticide should be used if a treatment course fails

 

 

 

 

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