Treatment of scabies: comparison of ivermectin vs. lindane lotion 1%.

Topical antiscabietics have poor compliance. This study aimed at comparing the efficacy and safety of oral ivermectin with topical lindane in treating scabies. In this clinical trial, 248 patients from 2 to 86 years of age were divided into two groups. Oral ivermectin was given to group A in a single dose of 200 μg/kg body weight. Group B received application of lindane lotion 1% twice at one-week interval. When there was no cure in two weeks, 2nd treatment was given with either drug in the respective group. A single dose of ivermectin provided a cure rate of 58.6% at two-week follow up, which increased to 92.7% with 2 doses at the end of 4-week interval. The application of lindane lotion 1% twice at one-week interval was effective in 44.3% of patients at two-week follow up, which increased to 71.7% after repeating the treatment for another two weeks. Single dose application of oral ivermectin was as effective as twice application of lindane lotion 1% at one-week interval. Two doses of ivermectin proved superior to lindane lotion 1% after repeating the treatment at 4-week follow up.