elimite
Pharmaranks rates Elimite 3.4/5 for recall safety — an independent score from its FDA recall history and its manufacturer's record. Elimite (Permethrin) is a pyrethroid used to treat Lice Infestations, Scabies.
Permethrin · by Aurobindo Pharma Ltd
Based on 1 source · Recall-safety score from FDA recall history — this product's own recalls and its manufacturer's record. Not an efficacy or quality rating. methodology →
Key facts
- Active ingredient
- Permethrin
- Drug class
- Pyrethroid
- Form
- Topical
- Strength
- Permethrin 5%
- Type
- Prescription (Rx)
- Brand or generic
- Brand-name
- May treat
- lice infestations, scabies
- Manufacturer
- Aurobindo Pharma Ltd
- What the pharmacy pays
- ~$0.23 per gm — not your price
- FDA application
- NDA019855
What is Elimite?
From the FDA label:Permethrin Cream, 5% is a topical scabicidal agent for the treatment of infestation with Sarcoptes scabiei (scabies). It is available in an off-white, greaseless, uniform mass. Permethrin Cream, 5% is for topical use only. Chemical Name - The permethrin used is an approximate 1:3 mixture of the cis and trans isomers of the pyrethroid 3-(2,2-dichloroethenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid, (3-phenoxyphenyl) methyl ester. Permethrin has a molecular formula of C 21 H 20 CI 2 O 3 and a molecular weight of 391.29. It is a colorless or slightly brownish viscous liquid, semi-solid or crystalline solid. Active Ingredient - Each gram contains permethrin 50 mg (5%). Inactive Ingredients - Butylated hydroxytoluene, carbomer homopolymer type B, ceteth-2, ceteth-20, glycerin, isopropyl myristate, lanolin alcohols, medium chain triglycerides, mineral oil, mono and di-glycerides, purified water, and sodium hydroxide. Formaldehyde 1 mg (0.1%) is added as a preservative. Chemical Structure
How to use
Adults and Children - Thoroughly massage Permethrin Cream, 5% into the skin from the head to the soles of the feet. Scabies rarely infests the scalp of adults, although the hairline, neck, temple, and forehead may be infested in infants and geriatric patients. Usually 30 grams is sufficient for an average adult. The cream should be removed by washing (shower or bath) after 8 to 14 hours. Infants should be treated on the scalp, temple, and forehead. ONE APPLICATION IS GENERALLY CURATIVE. Patients may experience persistent pruritus after treatment. This is rarely a sign of treatment failure and is not an indication for retreatment. Demonstrable living mites after 14 days indicate that retreatment is necessary.
Side effects
In clinical trials, generally mild and transient burning and stinging followed application with Permethrin Cream, 5% in 10% of patients and was associated with the severity of infestation. Pruritus was reported in 7% of patients at various times post-application. Erythema, numbness, tingling, and rash were reported in 1 to 2% or less of patients (see PRECAUTIONS: General ). Other adverse events reported since marketing Permethrin Cream, 5% include: headache, fever, dizziness, abdominal pain, diarrhea and nausea and/or vomiting. Although extremely uncommon and not expected when used as directed (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ), rare occurrences of seizure have been reported. None have been medically confirmed as associated with Permethrin Cream, 5% treatment.
Warnings
Important safety information
If hypersensitivity to Permethrin Cream, 5% occurs, discontinue use.
Who should not take Elimite
Permethrin Cream, 5% is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any of its components, to any synthetic pyrethroid or pyrethrin.
Overdose — what happens if you take too much
No instance of accidental ingestion of Permethrin Cream, 5% has been reported. If ingested, gastric lavage and general supportive measures should be employed. Excessive topical use (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ) may result in increased irritation and erythema.
U.S. Poison Control: call or text 1-800-222-1222 (free, 24/7). In an emergency call 911. From the FDA label; not medical advice.
Drug class
May treat (source: NIH RxClass)
Dosage forms
Topical
The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.
Ways to save
Ask for the generic
Same active ingredient, far cheaper. Is there a generic? →
Request a 90-day supply
Bulk fills usually lower the per-dose price vs monthly refills.
Use copay cards
Manufacturer copay cards & patient-assistance programs — especially for brand drugs.
Compare alternatives
A same-class option may cost less. See alternatives →
Frequently asked questions
- What does Elimite treat?
- Elimite (Permethrin) may be used to treat lice infestations, scabies, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.
- How is Elimite rated?
- pharmaranks gives Elimite a composite score of 3.4 out of 5, currently based on 1 weighted source (FDA regulatory recall-safety data weighted highest). See our methodology at /how-we-rate.
- How much does Elimite cost?
- Nobody can tell you what you will pay — your price is set by your insurer's formulary, your deductible and the pharmacy's markup, and none of those are published. What IS published is what the pharmacy paid to acquire it: about $0.23 per gm, per the CMS NADAC survey. Treat that as the floor, not the quote — ask the pharmacist for the cash price as well as your copay, because for cheap generics the cash price often wins.
- Is there a coupon or discount for Elimite?
- pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Elimite. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
- Who makes Elimite?
- Elimite is marketed by Aurobindo Pharma Ltd. You can see Aurobindo Pharma Ltd's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
- Is Elimite a brand-name or generic drug?
- Elimite is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Permethrin.
- Is Elimite available over the counter?
- No. Elimite is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
- What forms does Elimite come in?
- Elimite is currently marketed as topical, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
- What class of drug is Elimite?
- Elimite is classified as pyrethroid, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.
- Is Elimite FDA-registered?
- Elimite is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number NDA019855. You can verify this on its official FDA label.
- Has Elimite been recalled by the FDA?
- Elimite has no FDA recalls recorded under its own application in the openFDA enforcement database. Its recall-safety score reflects its manufacturer's overall recall record. This is general reference, not medical advice — check the FDA recall database for the latest alerts.
- Is Elimite safe?
- There's no single safe-or-not verdict. pharmaranks gives Elimite a recall-safety score of 68/100, based on its FDA recall history (no recalls under its own FDA application) — not an efficacy or side-effect rating. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings before use, and always consult a licensed professional.
- What are the side effects of Elimite?
- Elimite's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: In clinical trials, generally mild and transient burning and stinging followed application with Permethrin Cream, 5% in 10% of patients and was associated with the severity of infestation. Pruritus was reported in 7% of patients at various times post-application. Erythema, numbness, tingling,… Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.
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elimite
68/100