Table II.
Comparison of treatments in use to treat scabies in humans
| Drugs | Formulations | Recommended treatments | Cost (Euros) | Efficacies (%)* | Main adverse reactions | Use in children | Use during pregnancy | Use in breastfeeding women |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ivermectin | 200 μg/kg Pills | Repeat after 7 days | €19 for 4 tablets at 3 mg=€38 for a complete treatment (weight 70 kg) | 70–100 | Nausea, rash, dizziness, itching, eosinophilia, abdominal pain, fever, tachycardia | Not approved in children <15 kg or 5 years of age | Only recommended in France | Only recommended in France |
| 1% Cream/lotion |
Overnight (8–12 h) – from head-to-toe – repeat once after 7–14 days | €20 for 15 g cream=€80 for a complete treatment | 69–85 | Pruritus, burning, stinging, eczema | Not approved in children | Not recommended | Not recommended | |
| Permethrin | 5% Cream |
Overnight – from head-to-toe – repeat once after 7–14 days | €19 for 30g cream=€38 for a complete treatment | 86–100 | Pruritus, burning, stinging, eczema | Safe in children ≥2 months of age | Approved | Not recommended |
| Benzyl benzoate | 10–25% Lotion or emulsion |
Apply from head-to-toe for 24 h On days 1, 2 and repeat after 7 days | €15 for 125 mL emulsion=€30 for a complete treatment | 48–92 | Pruritus, burning, stinging, pustules, skin irritation, eczema | Safe in children ≥ 1 month of age | Authorized if necessary | Not recommended |
| Crotamiton | 10% Cream |
Overnight on days 1 and 2 | €7 for 40g cream | 63–88 | Pruritus, skin irritation, eczema, erythema, anaphylactic reaction | Safe in children | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| Precipitated sulphur | 6–33% Cream or lotion |
Apply from head-to-toe for 3 consecutive nights | – | 39–100 | Messy application, malodour | Safe in children | Authorized | – |
| Malathion | 0.5% Aqueous lotion |
Repeat after 7 days | €12 for 100 ml=€24 for a complete treatment | 47–72 | Pruritus, burning, stinging, skin irritation, CNS toxicity, dizziness, seizure | Not approved in children <2 years of age | Withdrawn from the European market | Withdrawn from the European market |
| Lindane | 1% Lotion or cream |
Overnight Repeat after 7 days | – | 64–96 | CNS toxicity, dizziness, seizures, renal and hepatic toxicity reported with overdosage | Withdrawn from the European market | Withdrawn from the European market | Withdrawn from the European market |