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PERMETHRIN

Generic: PERMETHRIN

Verified·Apr 23, 2026
Manufacturer
Mylan
NDC
87544-8526
RxCUI
250387
Route
TOPICAL
ICD-10 indication
B86

Affordability Check

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About PERMETHRIN

What is this medication? Permethrin is a topical medication used primarily to treat infestations of scabies and head lice. It functions as a scabicide and pediculicide, meaning it is designed to kill parasites that live on the human body. The medication works by disrupting the nervous system of the insects, leading to paralysis and death of both the adult parasites and their eggs. This process helps to stop the spread of the infestation and alleviate the persistent itching and skin rashes associated with these conditions.

The medication is applied directly to the affected areas of the skin or hair according to specific clinical instructions. For scabies, a cream is usually spread over the entire body from the neck down and left on for several hours before being washed off. For head lice, a liquid or lotion formulation is applied to the scalp and hair for a specified period of time. While it is highly effective at killing the pests, patients are often advised to follow up with a second treatment if necessary to ensure all eggs have been destroyed and the infestation is completely eradicated.

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.

External links go directly to the manufacturer's portal. RxCopays does not receive compensation for referrals.

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Prescribing information

From the FDA-approved label for PERMETHRIN. Official source: DailyMed (NLM) · Label effective Nov 21, 2022

Indications and usage
Use treats head lice
Dosage and administration
Directions Inspect • all household members should be checked by another person for lice and/or nits (eggs) • use a magnifying glass in bright light to help you see the lice and nits (eggs) • use a tool, such as a comb or two unsharpened pencils to lift and part the hair • look for tiny nits near the scalp, beginning at the back of the neck and behind the ears • small sections of hair (1-2 inches wide) should be examined at a time • unlike dandruff, nits stick to the hair. Dandruff should move when lightly touched. • if either lice or nits (eggs) are found, treat with the creme rinse Treat • wash hair with a shampoo without conditioner. Do not use a shampoo that contains a conditioner or a conditioner alone since this may decrease the activity of the creme rinse. Rinse with water. • towel dry hair so it is damp but not wet • shake the bottle well • completely saturate the hair and scalp with the creme rinse. Begin to apply the creme rinse behind the ears and at the back of the neck. • keep the creme rinse out of the eyes. Protect the eyes with a washcloth or towel. • leave the creme rinse on the hair for 10 minutes, but no longer • rinse with warm water • towel dry hair and comb out tangles • if live lice are seen seven days or more after the first treatment, a second treatment should be given Remove Lice/Nits • remove nits by combing the hair with the special small tooth comb provided. Remaining nits may be removed by hand (using a throw-away glove), or cutting the nits out. • use the nit comb provided and make sure the hair remains slightly damp while removing nits • if the hair dries during combing, dampen it slightly with water • part the hair into 4 sections. Work on one section at a time. Longer hair may take more time (1-2 hours). • start at the top of the head on the section you have picked • with one hand, lift a 1-2 inch wide strand of hair. Get the teeth of the comb as close to the scalp as possible and comb with a firm, even motion away from the scalp to the end of the hair. • use clips to pin back each strand of hair after you have combed out the nits • clean the comb completely as you go. Wipe the nits from the comb with a tissue and throw away the tissue in a sealed plastic bag to prevent the lice from coming back. • after combing, recheck the entire head for nits and repeat combing if necessary • check the affected head daily to remove any nits that you might have missed
Warnings
Warnings For external use only Do not use • on children under 2 months of age • near the eyes • inside the nose, ear, mouth, or vagina • on lice in eyebrows or eyelashes. See your doctor. Ask a doctor before use if you are • allergic to ragweed. May cause breathing difficulty or an asthmatic episode. When using this product • keep eyes tightly closed and protect eyes with a washcloth or towel • if product gets into the eyes, immediately flush with large amounts of water • scalp itching or redness may occur Stop use and see a doctor if • breathing difficulty occurs • eye irritation occurs • skin or scalp irritation continues or infection occurs If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before use. Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away. (1-800-222-1222)

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 PERMETHRIN appears across Medicare Part D plan formularies nationally. Source: CMS monthly Prescription Drug Plan file (2026-07-31).

Covered by plans

56%

3,061 of 5,490 plans

Most common tier

Tier 3

On 43% of covering formularies

Prior authorization required

0%

of covering formularies

TierFormularies on this tierShare
Tier 1 (preferred generic)81
25%
Tier 2 (generic)103
31%
Tier 3 (preferred brand)142
43%
Tier 4 (non-preferred brand)1
0%

Step therapy: 0% of formularies

Quantity limits: 53% of formularies

Coverage breadth: 327 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

Medicare Part D

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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.