Scabicides and Pediculicides

Diploma in Pharmacy

• Scabicides are the substances used to treat scabies caused by Sarcoptes scabiei.
• Pediculicides are the substances used to treat head lice caused by Pediculus humanus.

List of drugs

• Benzyl alcohol
• Crotamiton
• Permethrin
• Gamma benxene hexachloride (GBHC)
• Benzyl benzoate
• Spinosad
• Ivermectin
• Malathion

Gama Benzene Hexa Chloride (GBHC)�aka Lindane

• Chemistry
• 6 chlorine groups are attached to the saturated benzene.
• Its chemical name is 1,2,3,4,5,6 hexa chloro cyclohexane.

• Properties
• It is available as yellow powder or flakes.
• It has characteristic musty odor.
• It is poorly soluble in water but soluble in organic solvents.
• It is sensitive to light.
• MP: 113ºC.

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• Stability/Storage
• Store protected from light.

• Uses
• Pediculosis
• Scabies

Benzyl benzoate

• Chemistry
• It is the ester of benzoic acid and benzyl alcohol.

• Properties
• It occurs as colorless oily liquid.
• It has faintly aromatic odor.
• It is insoluble in water but soluble in alcohol.
• It is sensitive to light and moisture.
• Melting point: 18ºC.

• Storage
• Store protected from light and moisture.

• Uses
• Scabies
• It also possess vasodilatory and spasmolytic effects (so present in cough medications)
• It is also used as excipient eg. in testosterone replacement medication

Permethrin

• Properties
• It is dimethyl cyclopropane derivative.
• 2,2 dichloroethenyl group is attached on cyclopropane.
• Phenoxy phen3-yl methoxy carbonyl moiety is also attached on the other carbon of cyclopropane/

• Physical properties
• It occurs as white to pale yellow viscous liquid or crystals.
• MP: 34-39 degree celsius.
• It is practically insoluble in water.It is soluble in most organic solvents.
• It is stable to normal temperature. It may degrade in exposure to excess moisture.

Stability/storage:

Store in a tightly closed container protected from too much heat.

Uses

• Scabies
• Head lice