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Meds & supplements  ›  Permethrin

Medicine · Pyrethroid

Permethrin

Permethrin cream 5% is indicated for the treatment of infestation with Sarcoptes scabiei (scabies).

Drug Facts

Selected manufacturer label information, organised into consistent sections by Sofidex. Read the full label at DailyMed ↗

Drug facts

Used for
Permethrin cream 5% is indicated for the treatment of infestation with Sarcoptes scabiei (scabies).
How to take it
  • Wash hair with regular shampoo, rinse, and towel dry
  • Apply enough lotion to completely cover hair and scalp, especially behind ears and back of neck
  • Leave on for 10 minutes

What it is used for

Treats head lice

What it does

Lice treatment

How to take it

  • Wash hair with regular shampoo, rinse, and towel dry
  • Apply enough lotion to completely cover hair and scalp, especially behind ears and back of neck
  • Leave on for 10 minutes
  • Rinse thoroughly with warm water
  • Use a fine-tooth comb to remove remaining nits
  • Check hair after 7 days
  • If live lice are observed seven days or more after first treatment, a second application must be used

While you are taking it

  • Keep out of eyes
  • If product gets into eyes, flush immediately with water
  • Scalp itching or redness may occur

Side effects, and when to stop

Warnings

For external use only.

Ask a doctor before use if you are allergic to ragweed or chrysanthemums.

If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before use.

Do not use in or near the eyes.

Do not use on children under 2 months of age unless directed by a doctor.

Keeping it away from children

Keep out of reach of children.

If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.

Active ingredient

Permethrin 1% — Lice treatment

Cite this page

NLM

sofidex [Internet]. Daloreum; c2026. Permethrin; [reviewed 2026 Aug 3; cited 2026 Nov 10]. Available from: https://sofidex.com/patients/medicines/permethrin

APA 7th

sofidex. (2026, August 3). Permethrin. Daloreum. Retrieved November 10, 2026, from https://sofidex.com/patients/medicines/permethrin

AMA 11th

Permethrin. sofidex. Reviewed August 3, 2026. Accessed November 10, 2026. https://sofidex.com/patients/medicines/permethrin

The cited date is today’s, because a citation records when you read the page. The reviewed date is when a clinician last checked it.