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

Warning | Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage

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 (sometimes 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.

USES: This medication is used to treat head and crab (pubic) lice after safer medications have failed, or if safer medications caused side effects. It works by killing the lice and their eggs (nits).

HOW TO USE: Be sure to learn all the instructions for use from your doctor or pharmacist, and read the instruction sheet and Medication Guide carefully before using this medication. Wash hair with your regular shampoo (without conditioner) and dry your hair well. Wait at least one hour before using the lindane shampoo to lessen the chance of absorbing the lindane through your skin. Shake the medication well before using. Wear disposable gloves (made of nitrile, latex with neoprene, or sheer vinyl) when applying this medication. 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 of the nose or mouth) and do not take by mouth. If lindane gets in the eyes, rinse eyes immediately with water and seek immediate medical attention if a burning sensation continues. Apply the medication to dry hair without using water. Work it in well (without lathering) and leave it in hair for exactly four minutes (use a timer or clock). After four minutes add a little warm water until shampoo lathers well. Do not use hot water. Rinse off the shampoo immediately after it lathers. Dry hair with a towel and remove nits (eggs) from hair with a nit comb or tweezers. Wash your hands when you are done. Discard gloves and lindane container into the trash, out of the reach of children and pets. All recently worn clothing, underwear, pajamas, bedsheets, pillows, towels, and stuffed animals should be washed in very hot water or dry-cleaned. Do not use lindane shampoo again without checking with your doctor.