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Medications for Lice

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

What is 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

Medications to treat Lice

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

Drug name Rx / OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol Reviews Rating Popularity
permethrin Rx/OTC B N Add review Add

Generic name: permethrin topical

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

Drug class: topical anti-infectives

For consumers: dosage, side effects

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
Elimite Rx/OTC B N Add review Add

Generic name: permethrin topical

Drug class: topical anti-infectives

For consumers: dosage, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

 
lindane Rx C N Add review Add

Generic name: lindane topical

Drug class: topical anti-infectives

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
Lice Bedding Spray Rx/OTC B N Add review Add

Generic name: permethrin topical

Drug class: topical anti-infectives

For consumers: dosage, side effects

 
RID Rx/OTC N N Add review Add

Generic name: piperonyl butoxide / pyrethrins topical

Drug class: topical anti-infectives

For consumers: dosage, side effects

 
Natroba Rx B N Add review Add

Generic name: spinosad topical

Drug class: topical anti-infectives

For consumers: dosage, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

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

Generic name: piperonyl butoxide / pyrethrins topical

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

Drug class: topical anti-infectives

For consumers: dosage, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph

 
Acticin Rx/OTC B N Add review Add

Generic name: permethrin topical

Drug class: topical anti-infectives

For consumers: dosage, side effects

 
Lice Treatment Rx/OTC N N Add review Add

Generic name: piperonyl butoxide / pyrethrins topical

Drug class: topical anti-infectives

For consumers: dosage, side effects

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

Generic name: permethrin topical

Drug class: topical anti-infectives

For consumers: dosage, side effects

 
Nix Cream Rinse Rx/OTC B N Add review Add

Generic name: permethrin topical

Drug class: topical anti-infectives

For consumers: dosage, side effects

 
Licide Rx/OTC N N Add review Add

Generic name: piperonyl butoxide / pyrethrins topical

Drug class: topical anti-infectives

For consumers: dosage, side effects

 
Nix Lice Control Rx/OTC B N Add review Add

Generic name: permethrin topical

Drug class: topical anti-infectives

For consumers: dosage, side effects

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

Generic name: piperonyl butoxide / pyrethrins topical

Drug class: topical anti-infectives

For consumers: dosage, side effects

 
spinosad Rx B N Add review Add

Generic name: spinosad topical

Brand name:  Natroba

Drug class: topical anti-infectives

For consumers: dosage, side effects

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
Tisit Rx/OTC N N Add review Add

Generic name: piperonyl butoxide / pyrethrins topical

Drug class: topical anti-infectives

For consumers: dosage, side effects

 

Topics under Lice

Learn more about Lice

Symptoms and treatments

Mayo Clinic Reference

Legend

Off Label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
Prescription Only / Over the Counter
Rx Prescription Only
OTC Over the Counter
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over the Counter
Pregnancy
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 Schedule
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.

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