New option available for treating head lice

The FDA has approved Ulesfia 5% benzyl alcohol lotion, the first non-neurotoxic topical head lice prescription treatment for use in children aged 6 months and older.

“Outbreaks of head lice are beginning now, when kids are interacting at summer camps and will peak when they return to school,” Anthony J. Mancini, MD, professor of dermatology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, said in a press release.

Ulesfia (Sciele Pharma) uses a new mechanism of action, killing lice by preventing the bugs from closing the spiracles that can enable them to survive for hours without respiration.

“We are excited to have a new treatment option for this challenging medical problem that is effective without using harsh chemicals and will not encounter the increasing resistance,” Mancini said.

The approval and introduction of a new medication for the treatment of head lice infestation is welcome. This common problem affecting children is often a cause of considerable angst for parents and school officials. Relatively few medications are currently available for treating head lice, and in recent years concerns have been raised about these agents' efficacy, as resistance may be increasing. Time and clinical experience with this new agent will be needed to more fully evaluate its true benefit. Comparative studies with existing agents will additionally be beneficial to further define Ulesfia's role in the pharmacotherapy of head lice infection.

– Edward A. Bell, PharmD

Infectious Diseases in Children Editorial Board Member