Spinosad

Pronounced

"SPIN-oh-sad"

Uses

This medication is used to treat head lice, tiny insects that infest and irritate your scalp. Head lice lay small white eggs (nits) at the roots of hair close to the scalp, especially on the hairline at the back of the neck and behind the ears. This medication is also used to treat scabies. Scabies is caused by tiny insects called mites that infest and irritate your skin. Spinosad works by paralyzing and killing lice/mites and their eggs.

This medication should not be used on infants younger than 6 months due to the increased risk for serious side effects.

How to Use This Medication

Read the Patient Information Leaflet and Patient Instructions for Use if available from your pharmacist before you start using spinosad and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

This medication is for external use only. Shake the bottle well just before using.

For lice treatment: Apply this medication to scalp hair and scalp only. Use this medication when your hair is dry. Do not wet your hair before applying. Cover your face and eyes with a towel and keep your eyes closed tightly while applying this medication and during the time it remains on your scalp and hair. Avoid getting spinosad in your eyes. If the medication gets in or near the eye, flush with plenty of water right away. Since you should keep your eyes closed during application, you may need to have another person help you apply this medication. Children will need an adult to apply this medication for them.

Completely cover the scalp with spinosad first, and then apply outward toward the ends of the hair. If you do not use enough spinosad, some lice may escape treatment. It is important to use enough medication to cover your entire scalp and scalp hair. Leave the medication on your hair for 10 minutes. Use a timer or clock and start timing after you have completely covered your hair and scalp with medication. After 10 minutes, rinse thoroughly with warm water. You or anyone who helps you apply this medication should wash hands after application. You may shampoo your hair any time after treatment.

After treatment with this medication, you may use a fine-tooth comb or a special comb for removing treated lice and nits. However, combing is not required. If you see live lice 7 days or more after treatment, a second treatment should be given. Do not repeat treatment more than once unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

To avoid giving lice to another person or getting them again, wash all head wear, clothing, bed linens, and towels with hot water, then dry in a dryer at high setting for at least 20 minutes. Personal articles such as pillows or stuffed animals that cannot be washed should be dry cleaned, sealed in a plastic bag for at least 2 weeks, or sprayed with a disinfectant that kills lice. Brushes or combs should be soaked in hot water for at least 10 minutes. Furniture and floors should be thoroughly vacuumed.

For scabies treatment: Apply enough to completely cover your body from your neck to the soles of your feet. Make sure you apply to folds of skin, between fingers and toes, and under your finger and toe nails. If you are balding, also apply to the scalp, hairline, temples, and forehead. If you accidentally get this medication in your eyes, flush with plenty of water right away. Children will need an adult to apply this medication for them. Wash your hands after applying this medication to someone else. Allow this medication to soak into skin and dry for a full 10 minutes before getting dressed. Use a timer or clock and start timing after you have completely covered your body with spinosad. Wait at least 6 hours before showering or bathing.

To help prevent spread of scabies from one person to another, get household members checked by their health care professional. Avoid direct body-to-body contact with anyone who has scabies. Do not share clothing, towels, bedding, or linens with anyone else. Wash any bedding, clothing, and towels that you have used any time during the 3 days before treatment by washing in hot water and drying in a hot dryer, or by sealing in a plastic bag for at least 72 hours.

Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse.

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Drug information is selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First DataBank, Inc. This is a summary and does not contain all possible information about this product. For complete information about this product or your specific health needs, ask your healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your healthcare professional if you have any questions about this product or your medical condition. This information is not intended as individual medical advice and does not substitute for the knowledge and judgment of your healthcare professional. This information does not contain any assurances that this product is safe, effective or appropriate for you.

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Information expires December 2024.