LINDANE - TOPICAL LOTION side effects, medical uses, and drug interactions.

Font Size

GENERIC NAME: LINDANE - TOPICAL LOTION (LINN-dane)

WARNING: Lindane should only be used after safer medications have failed, or if safer medications caused side effects. Infrequently, lindane has caused seizures (and sometimes death) after prolonged or repeated use. Rare (possibly fatal) nervous system reactions such as seizures may even occur after correct one-time use of lindane. Lindane should not be used in premature infants or those with poorly-controlled seizure disorders. Lindane should be used with caution in infants, children, the elderly, those with other skin conditions (such as dermatitis or psoriasis), and those who weigh less than 110 pounds (50 kg) as they may be at a higher risk for side effects. Read the patient instruction sheet and Medication Guide before use, and ask your doctor or pharmacist about any information that is unclear to you. Itching may occur either after successful treatment or with treatment failures. Avoid re-applying lindane within a few months after use (consult your doctor or pharmacist for details).

USES: This medication is used to treat scabies only after safer medications have failed (such as permethrin or crotamiton), or if safer medications caused side effects. It works by killing the tiny insects (mites) and their eggs, which cause scabies.

HOW TO USE: Be sure to learn all the instructions for use from your doctor or pharmacist, and read the instructions and Medication Guide carefully before using this medication. Shake the lotion well before using. If you are applying lindane to another person, wear disposable gloves (made of nitrile, latex with neoprene, or sheer vinyl). Do not use natural latex gloves because more lindane can penetrate that type of glove. Do not apply to eyes, mucous membranes (e.g., inside the nose or mouth), and do not take by mouth. If lindane gets in the eyes, rinse eyes with water immediately and seek immediate medical attention if a burning sensation continues. Make sure your skin is clean and does not have other lotions, creams, or oils on it. Oils and lotions can increase the absorption of lindane through your skin and into your bloodstream, which increases the risk of serious side effects. Wait for at least one hour after bathing/showering before you put lindane lotion on your skin. Wet or warm skin can also increase the absorption of lindane into your bloodstream. Using a toothbrush, apply lindane under your fingernails (scabies mites prefer that area), and trim them short. Discard the toothbrush into the trash immediately out of the reach of children and pets. Do not use it in your mouth. Apply the medication to your skin in a very thin layer. Apply from the neck down to the bottoms of feet unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Do not apply to your eyes and do not take this by mouth. Do not cover the skin with non-breathable material, such as plastic diapers or clothes, tight clothes, or blankets. Other persons should avoid skin contact with you while you are using lindane. If an infant is prescribed lindane, watch them carefully to make sure they do not put hands or feet into their mouth while the medication is on their skin. Leave medication on the skin for 8-12 hours. Leaving it on overnight is usually sufficient. Do not leave it on the skin more than 12 hours. Leaving lindane on the skin for more than 12 hours can result in seizures (and in some cases death). Remove lindane lotion with a thorough washing in a shower or bath, using warm (not hot) water. Wash all recently worn or used clothing, towels, bed linens, stuffed toy animals, etc. in very hot water or have them dry-cleaned. Do not use lindane lotion again without checking with your doctor. Discard the lindane container in the trash, out of the reach of children and pets.