Permethrin 5% Cream 30g

Permethrin, the active ingredient in Permethrin 5% w/w Cream 30g, belongs to a group of medicines known as pyrethroids. These anti-parasitic agents are highly effective at killing the mites responsible for scabies and the lice that cause crab lice (also known as pubic lice).

How Permethrin Cream Works

When applied to the skin, Permethrin directly affects the nervous system of the parasites, leading to their paralysis and death. This action helps to clear the infestation and provides much-needed relief from the persistent itching and discomfort caused by these conditions. One application of Permethrin 5% w/w Cream 30g is often sufficient for successful treatment, but a second application may be necessary in some cases, not less than 7 days after the first.

Important Considerations for Use

Always ensure your skin is clean, dry, and cool before application, and follow the specific dosage instructions for your age group as directed by the patient information leaflet or a healthcare professional. While Permethrin 5% w/w Cream 30g is a widely used and effective treatment, it's important to be aware of potential side effects, such as skin reactions or exacerbation of conditions like eczema. If symptoms persist or worsen, always consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How to Use Permethrin 5% Cream 30g

Always use Permethrin Cream exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

• Preparation: To pierce the tube, remove the cap and reverse it over the nozzle, push firmly and turn. Apply the cream to clean, dry, cool skin. Do not take a hot bath or shower immediately before treatment.
• Application: Carefully apply a thin layer of cream to the skin. You do not need to keep applying more cream until it can be seen on the surface of the skin.

To Treat Scabies:

• Adults and adolescents over 12 years of age: Apply up to 30 g of cream (corresponding to one tube of 30 g). The application should be repeated 7 – 14 days after the first treatment.
• Children aged from 6 - 12 years: Apply up to 15 g of cream (corresponding to ½ tube of 30 g). The application should be repeated 7 – 14 days after the first treatment.
• Children aged from 2 months - 5 years: Apply up to 7.5 g of cream (corresponding to ¼ tube of 30 g). The application should be repeated 7 – 14 days after the first treatment.
• Newborns and infants under 2 months of age: There is only limited data available in this age group, and no dose can be recommended. Treatment should only be given under close medical supervision.
• General Application for Scabies:
  • Adults, adolescents and children over 2 years: Apply to the whole body including the neck, palms of the hands and soles of the feet. The head and face can be spared unless this area includes places affected by scabies (itch mites). Carefully treat areas between fingers and toes (also under nails), wrists, elbows, armpits, external genitalia, and buttocks.
  • Children under 2 years: Apply uniformly to the whole body, including palms, soles, neck, face, ears, and scalp. Spare parts of the skin around the mouth (to prevent licking) and eyes. Keep your child from licking the cream from their hands; children should wear gloves if necessary.
  • Elderly patients (over 65 years): Use in the same way as adults but also treat the face, ears, and scalp. Avoid applying cream to areas of skin around the eyes.
• Duration for Scabies Treatment: Leave the cream on the skin for at least eight hours, for example, overnight. Avoid bathing, showering, or washing during this period. If hands or other treated skin (buttocks, external genitalia) are washed within the 8-12 hour period, reapply the cream to those areas. After at least eight hours, take a shower or wash the skin with soap and water.

To Treat Crab Lice:

• Adults over 18 years of age: Apply up to 30 g of cream (corresponding to one tube of 30 g).
• Application for Crab Lice: Check any facial hair (beards, moustaches) and eyelashes for live lice and eggs. Apply cream to facial hair, carefully avoiding eyes. If live lice or eggs are found on eyelashes, remove them carefully using tweezers. Do not apply cream to eyelashes due to potential eye irritation.
• Duration for Crab Lice Treatment: Leave the cream on for 24 hours, then wash off with soap and water.

A single application is generally sufficient for successful treatment of both scabies and crab lice, provided instructions are followed. However, in cases of persistent or renewed infestation, it may be necessary to repeat the treatment after 7 days.

If you use more Permethrin Cream than you should:

If too much cream is applied, it should be washed off with soap and warm water. If there are any signs of irritation, talk to your doctor. If the contents of the tube are swallowed by a child, get medical aid from the doctor or Accident and Emergency Department of the nearest hospital immediately.

If you forget to apply Permethrin Cream:

Do not apply a double quantity to make up for a forgotten application.

If you have any further questions:

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Important Warnings and Precautions for Permethrin 5% Cream 30g

• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
• For external use only. Do not swallow this medicine.
• Ensure the skin is clean, dry, and cool before application. Do not take a hot bath or shower immediately before treatment.
• The cream rubs easily into the skin. You do not need to keep applying more cream until it can be seen on the surface of the skin.
• If the contents of the tube are swallowed by a child, talk to your doctor immediately.
• If too much cream is applied, it should be washed off with soap and warm water. If there are any signs of irritation, talk to your doctor.
• Do not use Permethrin Cream if you are allergic to Permethrin or any of its other ingredients (listed in the ingredients section). If you are known to be allergic to chrysanthemums or other compositae, only use Permethrin Cream after speaking to your doctor.
• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Permethrin Cream if you are treating infants (see children up to 23 months of age below). Do not use in newborns and infants less than 2 months of age unless your doctor tells you so, as there is no adequate experience in this age group. Treatment for children up to 23 months of age should only be given under close medical supervision.
• Carers who apply permethrin are advised to wear gloves.
• Do not smoke or go near naked flames – there is a risk of severe burns. Fabric (clothing, bedding, dressings, etc.) that has been in contact with this product burns more easily and is a serious fire hazard. Washing clothing and bedding may reduce product build-up but not totally remove it.
• Avoid contact with eyes or mucous membranes (inside the nose or throat, genital region) or open wounds. If accidental contact occurs, rinse thoroughly with water.
• Permethrin Cream may worsen symptoms of asthma or eczema.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using, have recently used, or might use any other medicines. Corticosteroids (steroids) should not be used to treat skin conditions like eczema when Permethrin Cream is being used, as they may worsen the infestation by interfering with the body's natural defence to scabies and crab lice. Permethrin Cream is not known to interact with any other medicines.
• For precautionary reasons, you should not use Permethrin Cream during pregnancy unless your doctor advises you to do so. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before using this medicine.
• No effect on the ability to drive and use machines is to be expected.
• Excipient Warnings:
  • Permethrin Cream contains butylhydroxytoluene (E321), which may cause local skin reactions (e.g., contact dermatitis) or irritation to the eyes and mucous membranes.
  • Permethrin Cream contains lanolin as lanolin alcohols/liquid paraffin mixture, which may cause local skin reactions (e.g., contact dermatitis). These excipients can reduce the efficiency and reliability of latex products (e.g., condoms, diaphragms) used at the same time.
  • Permethrin Cream contains cetostearyl alcohol as macrogol cetostearyl ether, which may cause local skin reactions (e.g., contact dermatitis).
  • Permethrin Cream contains methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E218) and propyl parahydroxybenzoate, which may cause allergic reactions (possibly delayed).
  • The container of this medicinal product contains latex rubber, which may cause severe allergic reactions.
• Permethrin Cream is harmful to all types of insects and also to animals living in water (e.g., fish). Take care that Permethrin Cream does not get into aquaria or terraria.

What Permethrin Cream contains:

The active substance is permethrin. Each g of cream contains 50 mg permethrin.

The other ingredients are: butylhydroxytoluene (E321); carbomers; coconut oil, refined; glycerol (E422); glycerol monostearate 40-55; isopropyl myristate; lanolin alcohol/ liquid paraffin mixture; macrogol (2) cetyl ether; macrogol cetostearyl ether; methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E218); propyl parahyd

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We cannot guarantee the Patient Information Leaflet is accurate and is for reference only.