title: Comparison of oral ivermectin vs. lindane lotion 1% for the treatment of scabies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Scabies is a common parasitic infestation that is an important public-health problem in many resource-poor regions. It is commonly treated with the insecticides ivermectin and permethrin.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy and safety of oral ivermectin vs. lindane lotion 1% for the treatment of scabies.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 148 patients with scabies were enrolled, and were randomized into two groups: the first group received a single dose of oral ivermectin 200 μg/kg body weight, and the second group were treated with two applications of topical lindane lotion 1%, with a 1-week interval between applications. Treatment was evaluated at intervals of 2 and 4 weeks, and if there was treatment failure at the 2-week follow-up, treatment was repeated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A single dose of ivermectin provided a cure rate of 60.8% at the 2-week follow-up, which increased to 89.1% at the 4-week follow-up. after crossing over to the lindane lotion 1% group. Treatment with two applications of lindane lotion 1%, with a 1-week interval between them, was effective in 47.2% of patients at the 2-week follow-up, which increased to 72.9% at the 4-week follow-up after this treatment was repeated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A single dose of ivermectin was as effective as two applications of lindane lotion 1% at the 2-week follow-up. After repeat treatment, ivermectin was superior to lindane lotion 1% at the 4-week follow up. The delay in clinical response with ivermectin suggests that it may not be effective against all the stages in the life cycle of the parasite.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Department of mathematics Ardebil Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mohebbipour
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Saleh
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Goldust
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Amirnia
authors.forename: Y J
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Zadeh
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Mohamad
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rezaee
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D001556:Hexachlorocyclohexane / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007559:Ivermectin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012532:Scabies / Q000188:drug therapy*; D063465:Skin Cream; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000977:Antiparasitic Agents; D001556:Hexachlorocyclohexane; D007559:Ivermectin