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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using lindane topical ()?

Do not use lindane topical without the first talking to your doctor if you

• have ever had an allergic or bad reaction to it;
• have epilepsy or another seizure disorder;
• have many open sores or broken skin;
• have used lindane lotion or shampoo in the last few months;
• have HIV or AIDS;
• have risk factors for seizures such as a head injury, tumor in the brain or spinal cord, cirrhosis of the liver, or heavy alcohol use; or
• are treating an infant or baby, an elderly person, or an adult or child who weighs less than 110 pounds (50 kg).

You may not be able to use lindane topical, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.

Lindane topical is in the pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether lindane topical will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use lindane topical without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

Lindane passes into breast milk, and may be harmful to a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Lindane topical may have increased side effects when used by elderly individuals. Talk to your doctor before using lindane topical if you are 65 years of age or older.

How should I use lindane topical ()?

Use lindane topical exactly as directed by your doctor, or follow the directions that accompany the package. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Do not use more of this medication than is recommended. Using more than the prescribed amount of lindane topical may cause seizures or other dangerous side effects.

If you are putting lindane topical on another person, wear special gloves made of nitrile, latex with neoprene, or sheer vinyl. Do not use natural latex gloves because more lindane can go through that kind of glove. Wash your hands thoroughly after application of the medication.

Be sure the affected skin is clean and does not have any other lotion, cream, or oil on it, including oil based hair products or conditioners when treating head lice. Wait at least 1 hour after bathing or showering before application of lindane topical.

Shake the bottle of lindane lotion or shampoo well before application.

To treat scabies:

• Apply a thin layer of the cream or lotion to all body parts from the neck down to the soles of the feet (scabies does not usually infect the head). Apply the medication to dry skin and rub it in well. Trim the fingernails and apply the medication under the nails with a toothbrush. Throw away the toothbrush after using it to apply the medication. Do not cover the skin treated with lindane lotion with anything that does not breathe, like diapers with plastic lining, plastic clothes, tight clothes, or blankets. Leave the medication on for 8 to 12 hours, then wash it off completely with warm but not hot water. Do not allow the medication to sit for longer than 8 to 12 hours. Scabies is usually cured with one application. Itching may persist for several weeks, but it does not mean that the infection has not been cured. If living mites become visible, a second treatment may be necessary. Talk to your doctor before using a second dose of lindane topical. Using lindane topical too soon after the first dose may cause seizures and/or death.

To treat head lice:

• Wash the hair with shampoo only (no conditioner or other hair products) at least one hour before applying lindane shampoo. Apply the shampoo to dry hair as follows: 1 ounce (half of a 2-ounce bottle) for short hair, 1.5 ounces (three-quarters of a 2-ounce bottle) for medium-length hair, or a full 2-ounce bottle for long hair. Be sure to cover the fine hairs along the neck and behind the ears. Work the medication in thoroughly. Allow it to sit for 4 minutes. Do not allow the medication to sit for longer than 4 minutes. Do not cover the hair with anything that doesn't breathe such as a shower cap or towel. Add a small amount of water to form a good lather, then rinse completely avoiding unnecessary contact of the lather with other body surfaces. Towel dry the hair briskly and comb with a fine-toothed comb (nit comb) to remove any remaining nits or nit shells (tweezers can also be used). One treatment should be sufficient. If live mites are visible after 7 days, a repeat treatment may be necessary. Talk to your doctor before using a second dose of lindane topical. Using lindane topical too soon after the first dose may cause seizures and/or death.

To treat pubic lice ("crabs"):

• Apply the shampoo to dry pubic hair. Work the medication in thoroughly. Allow it to sit for 4 minutes. Add a small amount of water to form a good lather then rinse and towel dry. Comb with a fine-toothed comb (nit comb) and remove any remaining nits or nit shells (tweezers can also be used). One treatment should be sufficient. If live mites are visible after 7 days, a repeat treatment may be necessary. Talk to your doctor before using a second dose of lindane topical. lindane topical too soon after the first dose may cause seizures and/or death. Sexual partners should also be treated.

Do not apply this medication to the face, eyes, nose, or mouth. Flush with water if you get medication in any of these areas. Seek medical attention if lindane topical is ingested or if irritation is persistent.

Do not apply lindane topical to open cuts or wounds. Doing so could cause too much medication to be absorbed by the body, which could be very dangerous.

Do not allow skin treated with lindane topical to touch others who have not been treated with the medication, especially a baby or small child.

To prevent reinfection, wash all clothing, hats, bed clothes, bed linens, hair brushes, and combs in hot water with a strong cleanser.

Store lindane topical at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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