Postmarketing surveillance study of permethrin creme rinse.
BACKGROUND
An observational, epidemiological study was undertaken to evaluate the safety of permethrin 1% creme rinse (Nix) for treatment of head lice infestations.


METHODS
Thirty-seven local public health departments enrolled a total of 38,160 patients for 47,578 treatments with permethrin or other pediculicides from September 1, 1986, through January 31, 1988. Follow-up safety information was collected between 7 and 14 days following treatment via return visit or telephone contact.


RESULTS
One hundred three adverse events were reported among 41,955 evaluable treatments. The rates of reported adverse events were 2.2 per 1000 treatments among permethrin treatments, 3.4 per 1000 treatments among lindane treatments, and 1.5 per 1000 treatments among other over-the-counter treatments. No serious, unexpected adverse events were detected in the 18,950 patients treated with permethrin.


CONCLUSIONS
This study confirmed the safety profile of permethrin in conditions of general use, as seen in clinical trials. Postmarketing safety monitoring in public health departments of drugs used to treat public health conditions was shown to be feasible.
Andrews
E B
EB
Burroughs Wellcome Company, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709.
Joseph
M C
MC
Magenheim
M J
MJ
Tilson
H H
HH
Doi
P A
PA
Schultz
M W
MW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016907:Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems; D002648:Child; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D001556:Hexachlorocyclohexane / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007306:Insecticides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010373:Lice Infestations / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects; D026023:Permethrin; D011358:Product Surveillance, Postmarketing; D011722:Pyrethrins / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012535:Scalp; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D007306:Insecticides; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D011722:Pyrethrins; D026023:Permethrin; D001556:Hexachlorocyclohexane