Spinosad more effective, convenient than permethrin for treating head lice

One application of 1% spinosad just as effectively eradicated head lice compared with two applications of 1% permethrin among 1,038 patients who participated in two multicenter, phase-3 trials.

Researchers from several U.S. sites presented data from the trials during a poster session at the AAP 2009 National Conference and Exhibition.

Participants self-administered either medication once or twice during the 21-day home-use period. Patients in the permethrin group performed nit coming; those in the spinosad (ParaPro) group did not.

Primary efficacy was measured by the proportion of lice-free primary participants 14 days after the last treatment.

The number of patients who met lice-free endpoints after using spinosad was almost double those who used permethrin in both studies, at 84.6% compared with 44.9% in the first study and 86.7% compared with 42.9% in the second study (P<.001).

Additionally, most participants who received spinosad required only one application (63.8% and 86.2%), while the proportion of those who administered two applications of permethrin was similar (64.4% and 60.3%).

Patients reported ocular hyperemia and application-site erythema and irritation at low rates with both medications, indicating a favorable safety and tolerability profile for spinosad.

The poster was presented as part of the AAP’s Council on School Health. – by Nicole Blazek

For more information:

#5929. American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition; Oct. 17-20, 2009; Washington.