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Medications for Lice

Other names: Body Lice; Crabs; Lice, body; Lice, pubic; Pediculosis, pubic lice; Pubic Lice

Body lice are tiny parasitic insects (Pediculus humanus corporis) that spread through close contact with other people. Pubic lice are small, six-legged creatures that infect the pubic (genital) hair area and lay eggs. These lice can also be found in armpit hair and eyebrows.

See also: sub-topics

Drugs used to treat Lice

The following list of medications are in some way related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
permethrin Rate Add review
Rx/OTC B N

Generic name: permethrin topical

Brand names:  Elimite, Lice Bedding Spray, Acticin, Nix Cream Rinse, RID Home Lice Control Spray for Surfaces, Nix Lice Control …show all

Drug class: topical anti-infectives

For consumers: dosage, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

lindane Rate Add review
Rx C N

Generic name: lindane topical

Drug class: topical anti-infectives

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph

Elimite Rate Add review
Rx/OTC B N

Generic name: permethrin topical

Drug class: topical anti-infectives

For consumers: dosage, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Lice Bedding Spray Rate Add review
Rx/OTC B N

Generic name: permethrin topical

Drug class: topical anti-infectives

For consumers: dosage, side effects

Acticin Rate Add review
Rx/OTC B N

Generic name: permethrin topical

Drug class: topical anti-infectives

For consumers: dosage, side effects

Nix Cream Rinse Rate Add review
OTC B N

Generic name: permethrin topical

Drug class: topical anti-infectives

For consumers: dosage, side effects

RID Home Lice Control Spray for Surfaces Rate Add review
Rx/OTC B N

Generic name: permethrin topical

Drug class: topical anti-infectives

For consumers: dosage, side effects

spinosad 0.0 1 review
Rx B N

Generic name: spinosad topical

Brand name:  Natroba

Drug class: topical anti-infectives

For consumers: dosage, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Natroba Rate Add review
Rx B N

Generic name: spinosad topical

Drug class: topical anti-infectives

For consumers: dosage, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Nix Lice Control Rate Add review
OTC B N

Generic name: permethrin topical

Drug class: topical anti-infectives

For consumers: dosage, side effects

piperonyl butoxide / pyrethrins Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N

Generic name: piperonyl butoxide / pyrethrins topical

Brand names:  Lice Treatment, RID, Good Sense Lice Killing Shampoo, Step 1, Licide, Tisit …show all

Drug class: topical anti-infectives

For consumers: dosage, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph

Lice Treatment Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N

Generic name: piperonyl butoxide / pyrethrins topical

Drug class: topical anti-infectives

For consumers: dosage, side effects

RID Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N

Generic name: piperonyl butoxide / pyrethrins topical

Drug class: topical anti-infectives

For consumers: dosage, side effects

Good Sense Lice Killing Shampoo, Step 1 Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N

Generic name: piperonyl butoxide / pyrethrins topical

Drug class: topical anti-infectives

For consumers: dosage, side effects

Licide Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N

Generic name: piperonyl butoxide / pyrethrins topical

Drug class: topical anti-infectives

For consumers: dosage, side effects

Tisit Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N

Generic name: piperonyl butoxide / pyrethrins topical

Drug class: topical anti-infectives

For consumers: dosage, side effects

Topics under Lice

Learn more about Lice

Care guides

Symptoms and treatments

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

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

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