Pharm

Malathion

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Malathion, Ovide

  • See Also
  1. Head Lice
  2. Permethrin
  • Indications
  1. Resistant Head Lice
  • Contraindications
  1. Infants
  • Mechanism
  1. Irreversible Cholinesterase Inhibitor (Pesticide)
  • Precautions
  1. Flammable - keep away from flame or heat source (e.g. hair dryer)
  2. Keep lotion away from eyes
  3. Not recommended for infants
  • Medications
  1. Malathion 0.5% in Isopropanol 78% (Ovide Lotion)
  • Dosing
  • Head Lice (adults and children age >6 years)
  1. Apply lotion to dry hair until hair and scalp is wet and allow hair to air dry
  2. Wash hair after 8 to 12 hours
  3. Remove nits with fine-tooth comb
  4. Re-treat in 7 to 9 days (if needed)
  5. Do NOT blow dry hair (flammable)
  • Adverse Effects
  1. Stinging and irritation secondary to Alcohol base
  2. Considered safe for topical use in children and adults (but avoid in infants)
    1. Little if any systemic absorption at this dose
  • Safety
  1. Pregnancy Category B
  2. Unknown Safety in Lactation
  • Efficacy
  1. Highly pediculicidal (kills lice)
  2. Highly ovicidal (kills eggs)
  3. Offers residual protection by binding hair
  4. Resistance has been reported
  • Resources
  1. Malathion Lotion (DailyMed)
    1. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=d792c1cb-ec9b-4942-8096-101d01293cea
  • References
  1. (1999) Med Lett Drugs Ther 41(1059):73-4 [PubMed]