II. Indications
- Resistant Head Lice
III. Contraindications
- Infants
IV. Mechanism
- Irreversible Cholinesterase Inhibitor (Pesticide)
V. Precautions
- Flammable - keep away from flame or heat source (e.g. hair dryer)
- Keep lotion away from eyes
- Not recommended for infants
VI. Medications
- Malathion 0.5% in Isopropanol 78% (Ovide Lotion)
VII. Dosing: Head Lice (adults and children age >6 years)
- Apply lotion to dry hair until hair and scalp is wet and allow hair to air dry
- Wash hair after 8 to 12 hours
- Remove nits with fine-tooth comb
- Re-treat in 7 to 9 days (if needed)
- Do NOT blow dry hair (flammable)
VIII. Adverse Effects
- Stinging and irritation secondary to Alcohol base
- Considered safe for topical use in children and adults (but avoid in infants)
- Little if any systemic absorption at this dose
IX. Safety
- Pregnancy Category B
- Unknown Safety in Lactation
X. Efficacy
- Highly pediculicidal (kills lice)
- Highly ovicidal (kills eggs)
- Offers residual protection by binding hair
- Resistance has been reported
XI. Resources
- Malathion Lotion (DailyMed)
XII. References
Images: Related links to external sites (from Bing)
Related Studies
malathion (on 7/20/2022 at Medicaid.Gov Survey of pharmacy drug pricing) | ||
MALATHION 0.5% LOTION | Generic | $3.71 per ml |
Ontology: Malathion (C0024547)
Definition (NCI) | A synthetic phosphorous compound and cholinesterase inhibitor that is strictly used as a topical pediculicide. Malathion exerts its action on the nervous system of the lice by irreversibly inhibiting the activity of cholinesterase, thereby allowing acetylcholine to accumulate at cholinergic synapses and enhancing cholinergic receptor stimulation. This eventually leads to the head lice's death. |
Definition (MSH) | A wide spectrum aliphatic organophosphate insecticide widely used for both domestic and commercial agricultural purposes. |
Concepts | Hazardous or Poisonous Substance (T131) , Organophosphorus Compound (T115) , Pharmacologic Substance (T121) |
MSH | D008294 |
SnomedCT | 333071000, 87205003 |
LNC | LP16826-7, MTHU009774 |
English | Carbafos, Carbofos, Carbophos, Karbofos, Malathion, Butanedioic acid, ((dimethoxyphosphinothioyl)thio)-, diethyl ester, Succinic Acid, mercapto-, Diethyl Ester, S-ester with O,O-Dimethylphosphorodithioate, Butanedioic Acid,((dimethoxyphosphinothioyl)thio)-, Diethyl Ester, malathion (medication), pediculicides malathion, MALATHION, Malathion [Chemical/Ingredient], carbophos, carbofos, malathion, Maldison, Malathion product, Malathion (substance), Malathion product (product), Malathion product (substance) |
Swedish | Malation |
Czech | malathion |
Finnish | Malationi |
Russian | MALATION, МАЛАТИОН |
Spanish | malatión (producto), malatión, producto (producto), malatión, producto, Malatión, Malathion, malatión (sustancia), malatión |
Italian | Karbofos, Carbophos, Carbofos, Malathion |
Polish | Malation |
Japanese | マラチオン, マラソン(薬物) |
Portuguese | Malathion, Malation |
French | Malathion |
German | Carbofos, Malathion |
Ontology: Ovide (C0876117)
Concepts | Pharmacologic Substance (T121) , Organophosphorus Compound (T115) |
English | Ovide, ovide |