Treatment of scabies: Comparison of permethrin 5% versus ivermectin.
Author(s): Goldust M, Rezaee E, Hemayat S.
Affiliation(s): Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. drmgoldust@yahoo.com
Publication date & source: 2012, J Dermatol. , 39(6):545-7
Scabies is an ectoparasitic, highly contagious skin disease caused by a mite
called Sarcoptes scabiei. The insecticides ivermectin and permethrin are commonly
used for treatment of scabies. This study aimed at comparing the efficacy of oral
ivermectin with topical permethrin in treating scabies. Two hundred and forty-two
patients with scabies attending the dermatology outpatient department of Sina
Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences were admitted. Patients were
divided into two groups randomly. The first group and their family contacts
received 5% permethrin cream and the other received oral ivermectin. Treatment
was evaluated at intervals of 2 and 4 weeks. A single dose of ivermectin provided
a cure rate of 85.9% at a 2-week interval, which increased to 100% after crossing
over to the permethrin group at a 4-week interval. Twice application of
permethrin with a 1-week interval was effective in 92.5% of patients, which
increased to 94.2% after crossing over to the ivermectin group at a 4-week
interval. Permethrin-treated patients recovered earlier. Twice application of
permethrin with a 1-week interval is superior to a single dose of ivermectin. The
temporal dissociation in clinical response suggests that ivermectin may not be
effective against all the stages in the life cycle of the parasite.
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