European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

A RANDOMISED, OPEN LABEL, PROSPECTIVE STUDY FOR COMPARISON OF SAFETY, EFFICACY AND COST EFFECTIVENESS OF LINDANE, PERMETHRIN AND IVERMECTIN IN SCABIES

Dulcie Celia A.*, Meenakshi B. and Ezhil Ramya J.

ABSTRACT

Aim: In this study we compared the therapeutic efficacy, safety and cost Effectiveness of single application of topical 5% permethrin, 1% Lindane with oral ivermectin (200μg/kg/dose) in a single dose in patients with scabies. Method: This was a prospective, randomized, comparative, open label study conducted in newly diagnosed hundred and fifty patients with scabies (>7 years – 60years). They were randomly allocated into 3 groups. First group received lindane (1% lotion). Second group received permethrin 5% cream. Whereas third group received tablet ivermectin 200μg/kg as a single dose. The patients were followed up after one week. If there were no signs of cure, the same intervention was repeated and again followed up after another week. Patients were assessed for clinical improvement, adverse drug reactions in each follow up. Analysis of variance and Chi – square tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: Ivermectin and permethrin showed 100% cure rate after 2 weeks of treatment. Both drugs decreased pruritus significantly. Lindane showed only 87% of cure rate. Transient, and mild adverse reactions like itching, burning, redness were reported in all the groups. In the analysis of cost effectiveness, ivermectin was found to be the most cost effective. Conclusion: Even though, both ivermectin and permethrin were equally efficacious and safe, ivermectin is the cost effective one. Therefore, ivermectin may be the preferred drug in the treatment of scabies with better compliance.

Keywords: Scabies, lindane, permethrin, ivermectin, comparative study, cost effectiveness.