Lindane is used to treat scabies, head and pubic lice and their eggs.
This medicine is used for those who have failed previous therapy or who are unable to tolerate other treatment.
Apply Lindane exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not use more than once or over a larger area than instructed by your doctor.
This medicine is available as a lotion or shampoo.
Different formulation of this medicine may be available in certain countries. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how to properly use your medicine.
If you are using the lotion, follow these steps:
- Clean and dry your body before application. Wait at least 1 hour after bathing or showering before application. Do not apply any other lotions or creams before you apply this medicine.
- Shake the bottle well before use.
- Apply a thin layer of the Lindane lotion all over the skin from the neck down to the toes. Apply the lotion under the fingernails using a toothbrush after trimming the nails short; immediately wrap the toothbrush in a paper after use. Do not cover, wrap or bandage the areas applied with this medicine.
- Replace the cap of the tube and immediately throw it away in a trash can along with the used toothbrush wrapped in paper.
- Do not wash or bathe for 8-12 hours.
- After 8-12 hours, wash off or rinse in the usual manner. Warm water may be used.
- Do not re-treat. Do not leave on for more than 12 hours.
If you are using the shampoo, follow these steps:
- Use regular shampoo without conditioner and dry your hair prior to use. Wait at least 1 hour after washing hair before applying the shampoo.
- Shake the bottle well before use.
- Apply Lindane shampoo directly to the hair without adding water. Work thoroughly into the hair and leave it for 4 minutes. Pay attention to the fine hairs along the neck and behind the ears.
- Do not cover the hair with shower cap or towel.
- After 4 minutes, add small amount of water to the hair and work into a lather. Immediately rinse all lather away. Avoid contact of lather to other parts of your body.
- Towel briskly and then remove nits with nit comb or tweezers.
- Do not re-treat. Throw away any remaining shampoo after use.
Do not use oils on your skin or hair before or after applying this medicine.
Avoid contact with the face, eyes, mouth, or nose. Rinse immediately with water if it gets into your eyes or mouth. Alert your doctor if you start to have any problems with your eyes.
If you are applying Lindane shampoo or lotion on another person, wear gloves made of nitrile, latex with neoprene or sheer vinyl. Do not use gloves made of natural latex.
Do not use Lindane if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to this medicine or any of its ingredients.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- uncontrolled fits or seizures
- crusted scabies (thick crusts of skin containing a large number of mites and eggs)
- psoriasis (a type of skin disease that allows the skin cells to rapidly build up causing itchy patches of thick, red skin and silvery scales)
- atopic dermatitis or eczema (a condition that makes your skin red and itchy)
as Lindane may not be suitable for you.
Do not breastfeed while you are being treated with this medicine and for at least 24 hours after application.
This medicine is not suitable for use in premature infants.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- history of fits or seizures
- previous head injury
- tumour in the brain or spinal cord
- HIV infection
- liver disease
- heavy alcohol drinking
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Lindane to a child, an elderly, or those who weigh <50 kg. They may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Do not apply on broken or infected skin.
You may still experience itching of skin or scalp even after successful treatment, this does not mean that the medicine did not work. Do not apply more Lindane shampoo or lotion.
How can I prevent lice or mite infestation at home?
- Avoid direct skin-to-skin or hair-to-hair contact with an infested person.
- Avoid contact with the infested person’s belongings e.g. combs, hair accessories, hats, towels, clothing, bedding.
- Clean and vacuum the room of an infested person, and machine-wash and dry-clean all his/her clothing and bedding.
- If you are a close contact of the infested person, seek treatment immediately.
Lindane may cause any of the following side effects: irritation, stinging or burning sensation on the skin and scalp, rashes, itch, hives, headache, pain, dizziness, and hair loss.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following: contraction of muscles that you cannot control, restlessness, confusion, and loss of consciousness.
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking or using any of these medicines:
- medicines for mood disorders
- medicines to treat depression
- medicines used in organ transplant or certain immune disorders e.g. ciclosporin, tacrolimus
- certain antibiotics e.g. penicillin, imipenem, quinolones
- isoniazid (medicine to treat tuberculosis or TB)
- meperidine (strong painkiller)
- pyrimethamine (medicine used to treat parasite diseases)
- theophylline (asthma medicine)
- chloroquine (medicine used to treat malaria)
- methocarbamol (medicine used to treat muscle spasms or pain)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Lindane.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking or using any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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