Comparative trial of treatment with Prioderm lotion and Kwellada shampoo in children with head lice.
The safety and efficacy of treatment with a new pediculicide lotion, Prioderm (0.5% malathion in isopropanol), were compared with those of treatment with Kwellada (1% lindane) shampoo in a randomized trial of children with head lice. The children's scalps were examined for live lice immediately, 7 days and 4 to 6 weeks following treatment. To determine the in-vitro ovicidal effect of treatment, samples of hair with nits were removed before and immediately following treatment; the subsequent rates of hatching were compared. No live lice were present immediately following either treatment. At 7 days after treatment 2 of the 29 children treated with Prioderm lotion and 4 of the 33 children treated with Kwellada shampoo were infested with live lice, whereas at 4 to 6 weeks after treatment 5 and 3 children respectively were infested. The initial effectiveness of treatment was 93% in the children treated with Prioderm lotion and 88% in those treated with Kwellada shampoo; however, a large difference in efficacy could have been missed owing to the small number of children in the study. Both preparations demonstrated in-vitro ovicidal activity, but neither totally abolished post-treatment hatching. No side effects were reported from either preparation. Because ovicidal activity was incomplete two treatments with the same pediculicides should be given about 7 days apart.
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D001556:Hexachlorocyclohexane / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D010373:Lice Infestations / Q000628:therapy*; D008294:Malathion / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D012535:Scalp
D001556:Hexachlorocyclohexane; D008294:Malathion