lindane

gamma benzene hexachloride

GBH

Hexit

PMS Lindane

Indications

Action

Pharmacokinetics

Time/action profile (antiparasitic action)

Contraindications/Precautions

Adverse Reactions/Side Effects

Central nervous system

• seizures (life-threatening)
• headache

Cardiovascular

• tachycardia

Gastrointestinal

• nausea
• vomiting

Dermatologic

• contact dermatitis (repeated application)
• local irritation

Interactions

Drug-Drug interaction

Route/Dosage

Availability (generic available)

Nursing implications

Nursing assessment

• Assess skin and hair for signs of infestation before and after treatment.
• Examine family members and close contacts for infestation. When used in treatment of pediculosis pubis or scabies, sexual partners should receive concurrent prophylactic therapy.

Potential Nursing Diagnoses

Implementation

• Due to serious side effects, no more than 2 oz may be dispensed at a time and no refills are allowed.
• Topical: When applying medication to another person, wear gloves to prevent systemic absorption.
  • Do not apply to open wounds (scratches, cuts, sores on skin or scalp) to minimize systemic absorption. Avoid contact with the eyes. If eye contact occurs, flush thoroughly with water and notify physician or other health care professional.
  • Institute appropriate isolation techniques.
• Lotion: Instruct patient to bathe with soap and water. Dry skin well and allow to cool before application. Apply lotion in amount sufficient to cover entire body surface with a thin film from neck down (60 mL for an adult). Leave medication on for an age appropriate time frame (see dosing), then remove by washing. If rash, burning, or itching develops, wash off medication and notify physician or other health care professional.
• Shampoo: Use a sufficient amount of shampoo to wet hair and scalp (30 mL for short hair, 45 mL for medium hair, 60 mL for long hair). Rub thoroughly into hair and scalp and leave in place for 4 min. Then use enough water to work up a good lather; follow with thorough rinsing and drying. If applied in shower or bath, do not let shampoo run down on other parts of body or into water in which patient is sitting. When hair is dry, use fine-toothed comb to remove remaining nits or nit shells. Shampoo may also be used on combs and brushes to prevent spread of infestation.

Patient/Family Teaching

• Instruct patient on application technique and provide with a medication guide. Patient should repeat therapy only at the recommendation of health care professional. Discuss hygienic measures to prevent and to control infestation. Discuss potential for infectious contacts with patient. Explain why household members should be examined and sexual partners treated simultaneously.
  • Instruct patient to wash all recently worn clothing and used bed linens and towels in very hot water or to dry clean to prevent reinfestation or spreading.
  • Instruct patient not to apply other oils or creams during therapy; these increase the absorption of lindane and may lead to toxicity.
  • Explain to patient that itching may persist after treatment; consult health care professional about use of topical hydrocortisone or systemic antihistamines.
  • Advise patient that eyelashes can be treated by applying petroleum jelly 3 times/day for 1 wk.
  • Instruct patient not to reapply sooner than 1 week if live mites appear.
• Shampoo: Advise patient that shampoo should not be used as a regular shampoo in the absence of infestation. Emphasize need to avoid contact with eyes.
• Pediatric: Advise parents to monitor young children closely for evidence of CNS toxicity (seizures, dizziness, clumsiness, fast heartbeat, muscle cramps, nervousness, restlessness, irritability, nausea, vomiting) during and immediately after treatment.
• Pediatric: Cover hands of young children to prevent accidental ingestion from thumbsucking.

Evaluation/Desired Outcomes

• Resolution of signs of infestation with scabies or lice.