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Ovide

Generic: Malathion

Verified·Apr 23, 2026
Manufacturer
Taro Pharmaceuticals
NDC
51672-5293
Route
TOPICAL
ICD-10 indication
B85.0

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About Ovide

What is this medication? Ovide is a prescription medication containing the active ingredient malathion, which is used to treat infestations of head lice and their eggs in adults and children at least six years old. This medication is classified as a pediculicide and works by effectively killing live lice and their nits through its organophosphate properties. It is intended for topical use only and is often used when other treatments have not successfully cleared the infestation. The application process involves putting the lotion on dry hair and rubbing it into the scalp until the hair and skin are thoroughly moistened. The medication should be left on the hair to air dry naturally for eight to twelve hours before being washed out with regular shampoo. Because Ovide is highly flammable, it is essential to avoid using hair dryers, smoking, or being near any open flames or heat sources while the product is on the hair. A fine-toothed comb is typically used after washing to remove dead lice and eggs from the hair shafts.

Copay & patient assistance

Detailed copay and financial assistance information is not publicly available for this medication at this time. Please consult your pharmacist or the manufacturer's official patient support program for more details.

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Prescribing information

From the FDA-approved label for Ovide. Official source: DailyMed (NLM) · Label effective Jul 20, 2018

Indications and usage
INDICATIONS AND USAGE OVIDE Lotion is indicated for patients infected with Pediculus humanus capitis (head lice and their ova) of the scalp hair.
Dosage and administration
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Apply OVIDE Lotion on DRY hair in amount just sufficient to thoroughly wet the hair and scalp. Pay particular attention to the back of the head and neck while applying OVIDE Lotion. Wash hands after applying to scalp. Allow hair to dry naturally - use no electric heat source, and allow hair to remain uncovered. After 8 to 12 hours, the hair should be shampooed. Rinse and use a fine - toothed (nit) comb to remove dead lice and eggs. If lice are still present after 7 - 9 days, repeat with a second application of OVIDE Lotion. Further treatment is generally not necessary. Other family members should be evaluated by a physician to determine if infested, and if so, receive treatment.
Contraindications
CONTRAINDICATIONS OVIDE Lotion is contraindicated for neonates and infants because their scalps are more permeable and may have increased absorption of malathion. OVIDE Lotion should also not be used on individuals known to be sensitive to malathion or any of the ingredients in the vehicle.
Warnings
WARNINGS OVIDE Lotion is flammable. The lotion and wet hair should not be exposed to open flames or electric heat sources, including hair dryers and electric curlers. Do not smoke while applying lotion or while hair is wet. Allow hair to dry naturally and to remain uncovered after application of OVIDE Lotion. OVIDE Lotion should only be used on children under the direct supervision of an adult. If OVIDE Lotion comes into contact with the eyes, flush immediately with water. Consult a physician if eye irritation persists. If skin irritation occurs, discontinue use of product until irritation clears. Reapply the OVIDE Lotion, and if irritation reoccurs, consult a physician. Chemical burns including second-degree burns and stinging sensations may occur with the use of OVIDE Lotion. General Keep out of reach of children. Close eyes tightly during product application. If accidentally placed in the eye, flush immediately with water. Use only on scalp hair. Information to Patients OVIDE Lotion is flammable. The lotion and hair wet with lotion should not be exposed to open flames or electric heat sources, including hair dryers and electric curlers. Do not smoke while applying lotion or while hair is wet. The person applying OVIDE Lotion should wash hands after application. Allow hair to dry naturally and to remain uncovered after application of OVIDE Lotion. OVIDE Lotion should only be used on children under the direct supervision of an adult. Children should be warned to stay away from lighted cigarettes, open flames, and electric heat sources while the hair is wet. In case of accidental ingestion of OVIDE Lotion by mouth, seek medical attention immediately. If you are pregnant or nursing, you should contact your physician before using OVIDE Lotion. If OVIDE Lotion comes into contact with the eyes, flush immediately with water. Consult a physician if eye irritation persists or if visual changes occur. If skin irritation occurs, wash scalp and hair immediately. If the irritation clears, OVIDE Lotion may be reapplied. If irritation reoccurs, consult a physician. Burns and stinging sensations may occur when using OVIDE Lotion. Apply OVIDE Lotion on the scalp hair in an amount just sufficient to thoroughly wet hair and scalp. Pay particular attention to the back of the head and neck when applying OVIDE Lotion. Anyone applying OVIDE Lotion should wash hands immediately after the application process is complete. Allow hair to dry naturally and to remain uncovered. Shampoo hair after 8 to 12 hours, again paying attention to the back of the head and neck while shampooing. Rinse hair and use a fine - toothed (nit) comb to remove dead lice and eggs. If lice are still present after 7 - 9 days, repeat with a second application of OVIDE Lotion. Further treatment is generally not necessary. Other family members should be evaluated by a physician to determine if infested, and if so, receive treatment. Laboratory Tests There are no special laboratory tests needed in order to use this medication. Carcinogenesis , Mutagenesis, and Impairment of Fertility Carcinogenesis, mutagenesis and impairment of fertility have not been studied with OVIDE Lotion (0.5% pharmaceutical grade malathion). However, following long-term oral administration of technical grade malathion to rodents via dietary supplementation, increased incidences of hepatocellular neoplastic lesions were observed in B6C3F1 mice dosed for 18 months at malathion doses greater than 1500 mg/kg/day, and in female F344 rats dosed for 2 years at malathion doses greater than 400 mg/kg/day. These tumors occurred only in association with severe hepatic toxicity and chronic suppression of acetylcholinesterase activity, or at doses causing excessive mortality. Based on body surface area, doses at which carcinogenic effects were observed in rodents following life-time exposures to malathion were approximately 14- to 26-fold greater than the maximum dose anticipated in a 10 kg child following a single use of OVIDE Lotion, assuming 100% bioavailability. Actual systemic exposures are expected to be less than 10% of the administered dose. The malathion of greater than pharmaceutical-grade purity used in OVIDE Lotion has not been tested for genotoxicity. The technical-grade malathion (95% pure) was found to be negative in Salmonella typhimurium , equivocally positive in the mouse lymphoma cell assay, and positive in in vitro chromosomal aberration and sister chromatid exchange assays. Fifteen separate in vitro gene mutation studies with malathion of unknown purity have reported negative results, while three studies reported malathion to be mutagenic in bacterial cells. Both technical grade (94–96.5%) and purified (98-99%) malathion have been reported to cause chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges in vitro in human and hamster cell lines. In vivo chromosomal aberration and micronucleus studies of technical- grade malathion are reported to be positive, whereas an in vivo chromosomal aberration study of >99% pure malathion was reported to be negative. Furthermore, mice exposed to malathion in their drinking water for 7 weeks demonstrated no evidence of chromosome damage in bone marrow cells, spermatogonia, or primary spermatocytes. Lack of details makes independent evaluation of the results of these assays impossible. Ashby and Purchase have suggested that impurities may be responsible for some of the observed genetic activity of malathion. Reproduction studies performed with malathion in rats at doses over 180 fold greater than those anticipated in a 60 kg adult (based on body surface area and assuming 100% bioavailability) revealed no evidence of impaired fertility. Pregnancy Pregnancy Category B There was no evidence of teratogenicity in studies in rats and rabbits at doses up to 900 mg/kg/day and 100 mg/kg/day malathion, respectively. A study in rats failed to show any gross fetal abnormalities attributable to feeding malathion up to 2,500 ppm (~ 200 mg/kg/day) in the diet during a three - generation evaluation period. These doses were approximately 40 to 180 times higher than the dose anticipated in a 60 kg adult (based on body surface area and assuming 100% bioavailability). Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human responses, this drug should be used (or handled) during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Nursing Mothers Malathion in an acetone vehicle has been reported to be absorbed through human skin to the extent of 8% of the applied dose. However, percutaneous absorption from the OVIDE ® (malathion) Lotion, 0.5% formulation has not been studied, and it is not known whether malathion is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when OVIDE Lotion is administered to (or handled by) a nursing mother. Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of OVIDE Lotion in children less than 6 years of age has not been established via well-controlled trials.
Adverse reactions
ADVERSE REACTIONS Malathion has been shown to be irritating to the skin and scalp. Other adverse reactions reported are chemical burns including second-degree burns. Accidental contact with the eyes can result in mild conjunctivitis. It is not known if OVIDE Lotion has the potential to cause contact allergic sensitization.
Use in pregnancy
Pregnancy Pregnancy Category B There was no evidence of teratogenicity in studies in rats and rabbits at doses up to 900 mg/kg/day and 100 mg/kg/day malathion, respectively. A study in rats failed to show any gross fetal abnormalities attributable to feeding malathion up to 2,500 ppm (~ 200 mg/kg/day) in the diet during a three - generation evaluation period. These doses were approximately 40 to 180 times higher than the dose anticipated in a 60 kg adult (based on body surface area and assuming 100% bioavailability). Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human responses, this drug should be used (or handled) during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

Label text is reproduced as-is from the FDA-approved label. We do not paraphrase, summarize, or omit. Content above is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your prescribing clinician or pharmacist before making decisions about your medication.

Conditions we've indexed resources for

Click a condition to see copay cards, grants, and PA rules specific to it. For the full list of FDA-approved indications, see Prescribing information above.

Medicare Part D coverage

How Ovide appears across Medicare Part D plan formularies nationally. Source: CMS monthly Prescription Drug Plan file (2026-04-30).

Covered by plans

0%

2 of 5,509 plans

Most common tier

Tier 1

On 100% of covering formularies

Prior authorization required

0%

of covering formularies

TierFormularies on this tierShare
Tier 1 (preferred generic)1
100%

Step therapy: 0% of formularies

Quantity limits: 0% of formularies

Coverage breadth: 1 of 65 formularies

How to read this:plans on the same formulary share tier + PA rules. Your specific plan's copay depends on (a) the tier above, (b) your plan's cost-share for that tier, (c) whether you're in the initial coverage phase or past the 2026 $2,000 out-of-pocket cap. For your exact plan, check its Summary of Benefits or log in to your Medicare.gov account. Copay cards don't apply to Medicare (federal law).

Prior authorization & coverage

PayerPAStep therapyCopay tier

Medicare Part D

Related drugs

How this page is sourced

  • Drug identity verified against openFDA NDC Directory.
  • Label text (when shown) originates from NLM DailyMed.
  • Copay and assistance URLs verified periodically; if you hit a broken link, tell us.