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benzyl alcohol topical (Ulesfia)
Indications:
- treatment of head lice in patients 6 months of age & older
Contraindications:
- infants < 6 months of age
Dosage:
- two treatments 1 week apart, leave in hair 10 minutes (75% effective)
Lotion: 5%
Adverse effects:
- irritations of the skin, scalp, & eyes
- numbness at the site of application
- use in premature infants may lead to serious respiratory, heart- or brain-related adverse events including seizures, coma, or death
Mechanism of action:
- suffocates lice, does not paralyze them
Notes:
- cost about $30/bottle, compared to $10 for Nix
- a bottle of Ulesfia only covers up to 4 inches of hair
- really long hair can take up to 6 bottles
- Nix takes only 1 to 2 bottles per use
General
benzyl alcohol
antiparasitic topical
References
- FDA News, April 9, 2009
FDA Approves Benzyl Alcohol Lotion for the Treatment of
Head Lice
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2009/NEW01993.html
- Prescriber's Letter 16(9): 2009
PATIENT HANDOUT: Treating Head Lice
COMMENTARY: New Drug: Ulesfia (Benzyl Alcohol Lotion)
GUIDELINES: Diagnosis and Treatment of Head Lice
(NGC Summary, 2008)
Detail-Document#: 250906
(subscription needed) http://www.prescribersletter.com