Editing Permethrin (section)

=== Medical use ===

Permethrin is available for topical use as a cream or lotion. It is [[indicated]] for the treatment and prevention in exposed individuals of [[head lice]] and treatment of [[scabies]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Permethrin (Lexi-Drugs)|url=http://www.lexi.com/|work=Lexicomp Online|publisher=Wolters Kluwer|access-date=19 April 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140417164854/http://www.lexi.com/|archive-date=17 April 2014}}</ref>
In general, one treatment is curative.<ref>{{cite web|title=Permethrin Patient Package Insert|url=https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/anda/98/074806ap.pdf|publisher=FDA|access-date=19 April 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420043409/http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/anda/98/074806ap.pdf|archive-date=20 April 2014}}</ref> A single application of permethrin is more effective than a single oral dose of ivermectin for scabies. In addition permethrin provides more rapid symptomatic relief than ivermectin.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Usha V, Gopalakrishnan Nair TV | title = A comparative study of oral ivermectin and topical permethrin cream in the treatment of scabies | journal = Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology | volume = 42 | issue = 2 Pt 1 | pages = 236–240 | date = February 2000 | pmid = 10642678 | doi = 10.1016/S0190-9622(00)90131-2 | publication-date = Feb 2000 }}</ref> When a second dose of ivermectin is days later, the efficacy between permethrin and ivermectin approach parity.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Dhana A, Yen H, Okhovat JP, Cho E, Keum N, Khumalo NP | title = Ivermectin versus permethrin in the treatment of scabies: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials | journal = Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology | volume = 78 | issue = 1 | pages = 194–198 | date = January 2018 | pmid = 29241784 | doi = 10.1016/j.jaad.2017.09.006 | s2cid = 29398956 | doi-access = free | publication-date = Jan 2018 }}</ref>  Contact with eyes should be avoided.<ref name="Package Label">{{cite web|title=Package Label|url=https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/anda/2000/75014_Permethrin_Prntlbl.pdf|publisher=Alpharma, USPD, Inc. Baltimore|access-date=19 April 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420031625/http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/anda/2000/75014_Permethrin_Prntlbl.pdf|archive-date=20 April 2014}}</ref>

==== Mechanism of action ====
Permethrin acts on the nerve cell membrane to disrupt the sodium channel current by which the polarization of the membrane is regulated. Delayed repolarization and paralysis of the pests are the consequences of this disturbance.<ref>{{cite web |title=MarkerDB |url=https://markerdb.ca/conditions/6982 |access-date=2 January 2024 |website=markerdb.ca |archive-date=2 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240102133744/https://markerdb.ca/conditions/6982 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Permethrin Cream, 5%* |url=https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=041444b6-a71e-4d13-8d24-f2d104bf721d&type=display |access-date=2 January 2024 |website=dailymed.nlm.nih.gov}}</ref>