Lindane: Side Effects, Uses & Monitoring

Facts extracted from current FDA product labeling for Lindane. Educational only — not medical advice.

Labeled uses

Lindane Shampoo is indicated for the treatment of head lice (infestations of Pediculosis humanis capitis ), crab lice (infestations of Pthirus pubis ), and their ova only in patients who cannot tolerate other approved therapies, or have failed treatment with other approved therapies. Lindane Shampoo should be used in the context of an overall lice management program that includes: Visual inspection to ensure that the patient is currently infested with live lice (empty egg casings or "nits" can remain on hair shaft long after true infestation). Manual removal of nits using a comb designed for this purpose and/or individual removal with tweezers followed by close examination of the hair and scalp. Evaluation and treatment of sexual contacts simultaneously. Sexual contacts should be prescribed Lindane Shampoo only if they either have failed to respond to adequate doses of other approved therapies or are intolerant of other approved therapies. All recently worn clothing, underwear, pajamas, used sheets, pillowcases, and towels should be washed in very hot water or dry-cleaned. Caregivers applying this product to patients should wear gloves less permeable to Lindane such as nitrile, lat…

Source: FDA labeling via NIH DailyMed (set ece04acb…). Not affiliated with FDA or NIH.

Medical disclaimer: Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about any medication.