Postmarketing surveillance study of permethrin creme rinse.

BACKGROUND

An observational, epidemiological study was undertaken to evaluate the safety of permethrin 1% creme rinse (Nix) for treatment of head lice infestations.

METHODS

Thirty-seven local public health departments enrolled a total of 38,160 patients for 47,578 treatments with permethrin or other pediculicides from September 1, 1986, through January 31, 1988. Follow-up safety information was collected between 7 and 14 days following treatment via return visit or telephone contact.

RESULTS

One hundred three adverse events were reported among 41,955 evaluable treatments. The rates of reported adverse events were 2.2 per 1000 treatments among permethrin treatments, 3.4 per 1000 treatments among lindane treatments, and 1.5 per 1000 treatments among other over-the-counter treatments. No serious, unexpected adverse events were detected in the 18,950 patients treated with permethrin.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirmed the safety profile of permethrin in conditions of general use, as seen in clinical trials. Postmarketing safety monitoring in public health departments of drugs used to treat public health conditions was shown to be feasible.