— Product
PREMEROZ LOTION
PERMETHRIN BP 5%
PREMEROZ LOTION is a topical lotion of permethrin 5%, a scabicide. It is the first-line treatment for scabies, applied over the whole body from the neck down and left on overnight, killing the mite and its eggs.
01
Benefits
- Permethrin 5% is the first-line scabies treatment in most guidelines, with the best combination of efficacy and safety.
- A single overnight application cures most cases, with a second application after a week to catch newly hatched mites.
- Kills both the mite and its eggs, which is why it succeeds where some older preparations fail.
- Safe in children over two months and, on medical advice, in pregnancy — an advantage over lindane and oral alternatives.
- Low systemic absorption through intact skin.
02
Side effects
Not everyone gets these. Most are mild and settle as the course finishes.
Common
- Itching, which commonly worsens for one to two weeks after treatment
- Burning or stinging on application
- Local redness
- Dryness of the treated skin
Less common
- Rash or worsening of eczema
- Numbness or tingling of the treated skin
- Contact dermatitis
- Swelling of treated areas
Stop and get medical help if any of these occur
- Severe blistering, crusting or ulceration
- Swelling of the face, lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing
- Spreading redness, warmth, pus or fever — secondary bacterial infection is common in scratched scabies
- Itching that is still worsening after four weeks
- New burrows or lesions appearing more than two weeks after treatment
03
Precautions
- Itching commonly worsens for one to two weeks after successful treatment — this is a reaction to dead mites, not failure. Tell the patient, or they will over-treat.
- Apply to cool dry skin over the entire body from the neck down, including between fingers and toes, under nails, in skin folds and the genital area. Missing areas is the commonest cause of failure. In infants, the elderly and the immunocompromised, include the scalp, face and ears, avoiding eyes and mouth.
- Leave on for eight to fourteen hours — usually overnight — then wash off. Reapply to hands if they are washed during that period.
- Treat all household members and close contacts at the same time, whether or not they itch, or reinfestation is certain.
- Wash all bedding, towels and clothing in hot water and dry hot, or seal in a bag for a week.
- Contraindicated in known hypersensitivity to permethrin or chrysanthemums. For external use only; avoid the eyes.
- Use in infants under two months, in pregnancy and in breastfeeding only on medical advice.
- Persistent itching may need a separate antihistamine or topical steroid — do not simply repeat the permethrin.