Cetrimide+lindane
About Cetrimide+lindane
Cetrimide+lindane is a topical medicine used to treat scabies and head or body lice infestations. It works by killing the mites and lice that cause these conditions while helping keep the affected skin clean. This relieves intense itching, irritation, and discomfort caused by the infestation.
This medicine is usually applied only once. In some cases, your doctor may recommend a second application after 7 to 10 days if needed. Apply it only to clean, cool, dry skin or hair, and never immediately after a hot bath or shower. Washing clothes, bedding, towels, and treating close household contacts at the same time helps prevent reinfestation.
While using Cetrimide+lindane, you may notice mild skin irritation, redness, dryness, or a burning sensation. These effects are usually temporary. However, seek immediate medical attention if you develop severe skin reactions, confusion, dizziness, muscle weakness, or seizures.
Before using this medicine, tell your doctor if you have epilepsy, a history of seizures, severe eczema, psoriasis, broken skin, liver disease, or weigh less than 50 kg. Do not use this medicine if you have an uncontrolled seizure disorder or in premature infants. It should be used with extra caution in young children, older adults, and people with damaged skin because they absorb more medicine through the skin.
Avoid applying other creams, lotions, or oils to the treated area unless advised by your doctor, as they can increase absorption of lindane. Avoid alcohol during treatment because it may increase the risk of nervous system side effects. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should use this medicine only if clearly recommended by their doctor.
Uses of Cetrimide+lindane
• Kills Lice & Scabies Mites: Cetrimide+lindane acts as a neurotoxin, paralyzing and eliminating parasites.
• Destroys Eggs: Cetrimide+lindane prevents reinfestation by targeting lice and mite eggs.
• Soothes Skin Irritation: Cetrimide+lindane reduces itching, redness, and discomfort.
Medicinal Benefits
Cetrimide+lindane helps relieve the symptoms of scabies and lice infestations by eliminating the parasites responsible for the infection.
It may provide the following benefits:
- Kills mites or lice responsible for the infestation.
- Helps relieve itching, irritation, and skin discomfort.
- Helps stop the spread of the infestation by breaking the parasite life cycle.
- Cetrimide helps clean the affected skin and reduces the risk of bacterial infection caused by scratching.
- Promotes healing of the affected skin after successful treatment.
Directions for Use
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication to ensure safe and effective use.
- Check the label for directions and apply the medication to the affected area as directed by your physician.
- Do not take a bath after applying. Leave it in for at least 8-12 hours, then wash it off with lukewarm water.
- Avoid contact of Cetrimide+lindane with your eyes, nostrils or mouth. Rinse with water thoroughly if contact occurs.
Storage
Side Effects of Cetrimide+lindane
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Mild skin redness or irritation
- Dry or peeling skin
- Temporary stinging or burning sensation where applied
- Mild itching
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Seizures or fits
- Severe dizziness, confusion, or drowsiness
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in your limbs
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- This medicine is strictly for external use on the skin and scalp. Do not swallow it, and avoid getting it into your eyes, nose, mouth, or vaginal area. If accidental contact occurs, flush thoroughly with cool water.
- Do not apply this medication to highly inflamed, raw, or weeping skin, or onto open wounds unless explicitly instructed by your doctor.
- Never take a hot bath immediately before applying this medicine; hot skin increases absorption into your bloodstream, which can trigger dangerous side effects.
- If you are applying this medicine to another person, wear protective rubber or disposable gloves to prevent accidental exposure.
- Do not cover the treated skin with tight, airtight, or plastic dressings after application.
- Cetrimide+lindane is generally reserved for situations where safer first-choice treatments are unsuitable or have not worked. Use it only exactly as suggested and never more often than recommended.
Drug Interactions
- Topical creams, ointments, and oils: Using other skin preparations at the same time can increase how much of this medicine your skin absorbs, raising the risk of systemic side effects.
- Medications that lower the seizure threshold: Combining this medicine with certain antidepressants, antipsychotics, or some antibiotics may increase the risk of seizures if the topical medicine is absorbed into your bloodstream.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
consult your doctorIt is not known if alcohol interacts with Cetrimide+lindane, but it is best avoided. Please consult a physician in case of any concerns.
Pregnancy
cautionCetrimide+lindane is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Please consult your physician for alternative medicine and to address any other concerns.
Breast Feeding
cautionCetrimide+lindane is not recommended for use during breastfeeding. Please consult your physician for alternative medicine and to address any other concerns.
Driving
not applicableCetrimide+lindane is unlikely to affect your ability to drive.
Liver
cautionExercise caution before using Cetrimide+lindane in case of a history of liver disorder/disease. Please consult your physician in case of any concerns.
Kidney
consult your doctorCetrimide+lindane is mostly safe on the kidneys. Please consult your physician in case of any concerns.
Children
cautionInsufficient information is available on whether Cetrimide+lindane is safe for use in children under 12 years of age. Exercise caution and consult your physician before use.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Wash all clothing, bed linens, blankets, and towels used during the 48 hours before treatment in hot water (at least 60°C or 140°F) and dry them on a high-heat cycle to kill any remaining mites or lice.
- For items that cannot be washed, seal them tightly in a plastic bag for at least two weeks; this starves and eliminates any surviving parasites.
- Ensure that all household members and close physical contacts are examined and treated at the same time to prevent passing the infestation back and forth.
- Vacuum all carpets, rugs, mattresses, and upholstered furniture thoroughly, and discard the vacuum bag or clean the canister immediately.
- Avoid close skin-to-skin contact with others until your doctor confirms that the infestation has been completely cleared.
Special Advise
- Do not allow anyone to touch the area where you have applied Cetrimide+lindane. Do not touch anyone, especially any baby or child, while having Cetrimide+lindane on.
- If you have a sexual partner, make sure to get them checked, as scabies is highly contagious.
- Do not use any cosmetic products or oils just before or just after applying Cetrimide+lindane.
- Avoid getting Cetrimide+lindane in your eyes, nostrils or mouth. Rinse with water thoroughly if contact occurs.
- Avoid wearing tight and dark coloured clothing on the affected area after applying Cetrimide+lindane.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Scabies: Scabies is a skin disorder caused by the Sarcoptes scabeii mite. It produces burrows in the skin and causes severe itching that worsens at night. It is a highly contagious disease that spreads through close contact. The affected skin starts to show white lines, redness, and bumps. Common areas where scabies is most pronounced are the wrist, finger webs, armpit, nipple, penis and buttocks.
Lice: Lice are external parasites that generally inhabit the skin of the scalp and the pubes. They feed on human blood. Discomfort, itching and redness are some of the main symptoms of lice. Head lice feed on blood through the scalp, whereas pubic lice are seen amidst pubic hair.
FAQs
Cetrimide+lindane belongs to the group of topical medications used to treat scabies. It is also used to kill head lice.
Cetrimide+lindane works by exerting an antiseptic and antiparasitic effect, killing mites and lice and thereby relieving the affected skin of any pain, discomfort or itch.
Cetrimide+lindane is suitable for all skin types if warranted and recommended. If your concern is that Cetrimide+lindane is causing the skin to dry out, please consult your doctor.
It is not advisable to cover the skin with any tight clothing after applying Cetrimide+lindane. Try it keep it bare for some time at least.
No, you should not apply Cetrimide+lindane to your face, eyes, nose, or mouth. It is formulated strictly for use from the neck down for scabies, or on the scalp and hair for lice. Talk to your doctor if you have lesions on your face.
Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. For scabies, lindane is usually left on the skin for up to 8 hours before washing it off. Leaving it on longer does not make it work better and may increase the risk of serious side effects. Talk to your doctor if you are unsure how long to leave the medicine on.
No. You should avoid taking a hot bath or shower right before application. Hot skin absorbs the medicine too quickly into your bloodstream, which can cause serious side effects. Talk to your doctor if you need advice on bathing.
Yes, scabies spreads very easily through close physical contact. It is highly recommended that sexual partners and all household members are treated at the same time, even if they do not show symptoms. Talk to your doctor for a treatment plan.
If the medicine gets into your eyes, flush them immediately with large amounts of cool, clean water for several minutes. If irritation or pain persists, seek medical help. Talk to your doctor if you experience changes in your vision.
You should only use Cetrimide+lindane during pregnancy if your doctor decides it is absolutely necessary. It can be absorbed through the skin, so safety must be evaluated. Talk to your doctor to discuss safer alternatives.
It is common to experience itching for a few weeks after successful treatment. This is an allergic reaction to the dead mites and eggs rather than a sign that the treatment failed. Talk to your doctor if the itching persists beyond four weeks.
Yes, although seizures are rare, Cetrimide+lindane can increase the risk of seizures, especially if it is swallowed, applied more often than directed, left on the skin longer than recommended, or used on broken or inflamed skin. People with epilepsy or a history of seizures should generally avoid using this medicine unless their doctor determines the benefits outweigh the risks. Seek immediate medical attention if seizures or severe neurological symptoms occur.
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