SCABEX 15gm Cream

Permethrin 5% w/w: cream preparation 15gm tube: 30.10 MRP

Pharmacology

Permethrin induces electrochemical abnormalities across the membranes of excitable cells, leading to sensory hyperexcitability, in coordination and prostration. Permethrin is rapidly metabolized in mammals by ester hydrolysis to inactive metabolites which are excreted primarily in the urine. The principal metabolites of Permethrin are detectable in the urine within hours of a whole body application of the cream to healthy volunteers or scabies patients. The highest levels of excretion are detectable within the first 48 hours, but very low levels of metabolites are still detectable in the urine of some individuals 28 days after treatment.

Administration

• Patients of >2 months of age can use the dermal cream.
• Cream should be applied to clean, dry skin. If the body is hot due to warm bath or any other reason, skin should be allowed to cool.
• It should be applied to the whole body excluding head.
• The whole body should be washed thoroughly 8-12 hours after treatment.
• Adults and children above 12 years will use a 30 g tube as a single dose.
• If necessary maximum two tubes (60 gm) can be used as a single dose.
• The cream should not be applied to the vicinity of mouth and areas close to the eyes.

Interaction

The treatment of eczematous-like reactions with corticosteroids should be withheld prior to treatment with Permethrin, as there is a risk of exacerbating the scabies infestation by reducing the immune response to the mite.

Contraindications

Permethrin is contraindicated in subjects with known hypersensitivity to the product, its components, other pyrethroids or pyrethrins.

Side Effects

In scabies patients, skin discomfort, usually described as burning, stinging or tingling occurs in a few individuals soon after the cream is applied. Other transient signs and symptoms of irritation including erythema, edema, eczema, rash and pruritus which may follow the treatment of scabies with Permethrin are generally considered to be the part of the natural history of scabies. In patients treated for scabies, itching may persist for up to 4 weeks post-treatment. This is generally regarded as due to an allergic reaction to the dead mites under the skin and is not necessarily indicative of a treatment failure.