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Are there any prescription treatments for head lice?

Head lice are tiny insects that infest the head and live on the scalp. Lice spread from person to person when you share hairbrushes, combs, hats, clothing, or bedding, or have direct contact.

Permethrin (brand name Elimite) is a prescription product that can be used to treat head lice. This medicine is typically used when over-the-counter products are not effective. A recent study found that the combination of Permethrin and >trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim or Septra) was more likely to cure a head lice infestation than Permethrin used alone.

Gamma benzene hexachloride (Lindane), malathion (>Ovide), and crotamiton (>Eurax) are other prescription drugs that are applied to the hair to treat lice.

Rarely, lice creams may not work. Ivermectin (>Stromectol) is a new tablet that is taken in a single oral dose to treat lice. It has not been studied in children weighing less than 35 pounds.

Sources:
Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs. American Pharmaceutical Association, 1996.
Mayo Clinic Family Health Book. William Morrow & Co., 1996.
Burkhart, C.G., "An Assessment of Topical and Oral Prescription and Over-the-counter Treatments for Head Lice" Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 38 (1998).
Habif, Thomas. Clinical Dermatology. Mosby-Year Book Inc., 1996.
Hipolito RB. “Head Lice Infestation: Single Drug Versus Combination Therapy With One Percent Permethrin And Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole.” Pediatrics 107(2001).
Drug Facts and Comparisons. Facts & Comparisons, 2007.
Diseases and Conditions, “Lice.” http://www.mayoclinic.com. Mayo Clinic Health. Last accessed 1/11/2007.

This answer prepared 4/24/2001.
This information updated 1/11/2007.