Single Dose of Topical Ivermectin Kills Head Lice

One-time treatment with topical ivermectin effectively wipes out head lice, according to two industry-funded, phase III trials in the New England Journal of Medicine. The FDA approved topical ivermectin (brand name, Sklice) earlier this year.

The trials included 300 children aged 6 months and older with head-lice infestations who were randomized to a single, at-home application of ivermectin 0.5% or a control lotion; nit combing was not allowed. Overall, significantly more patients were louse-free with ivermectin than with control lotion at day 2 (95% vs. 31%) and day 15 (74% vs. 18%). Side effects did not differ between the groups.

Findings were similar in a larger analysis that included infected household members who also underwent ivermectin treatment.

The researchers say their findings "indicate that ivermectin is a treatment option when permethrin or pyrethrins have failed or when there is a desire to reduce the need for nit combing and increase the probability of success with a single application."