Permethrin 50 mg/g Cream
🆔 Identity & classification
Where does this data come from?
🏷️ RxNorm drug class
This medicine belongs to the Pyrethroid class.
Where does this data come from?
🏭 Manufacturer & labeler
Where does this data come from?
🩺 Clinical
Permethrin is used to treat scabies ('mites that attach themselves to the skin) in adults and children 2 months of age and older. Over-the-counter permethrin is used to treat lice (small insects that attach themselves to the skin on the head) in adults and children 2 months of age and older. Permethrin is in a class of medications called scabicides and pediculicides. It works by killing lice and mites.
Read the full MedlinePlus article ↗- It depends on the specific product. Elimite 5% cream is prescribed to treat scabies — a skin infestation caused by tiny mites that burrow under the skin and cause intense itching....
- What is permethrin cream actually used for?
- Start by washing your hair with a regular shampoo — but skip the conditioner, since it can make the treatment less effective. Towel dry your hair so it's damp but not dripping, the...
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Patient education
Supplement & herbal interactions
Where does this data come from?
Ask a licensed pharmacist directly — free, answered by our team.
🧪 Inactive Ingredients / Excipients
Inactive ingredients, also called excipients, are components of the drug product other than the active ingredient. They may include fillers, dyes, coatings, preservatives, flavors, or other formulation ingredients.
💡 Tap an ingredient (hover on desktop) to see what it is and why it’s used.
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UNII HHT01ZNK31
Carbomer Homopolymer Type B is a synthetic polymer made from acrylic acid. It absorbs water and forms a gel, so it's used in medicines as a thickener, suspending agent, and to help create a smooth texture in creams, gels, and lotions.
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UNII I835H2IHHX
A waxy substance derived from plant oils, used as an emulsifier and solubilizer to help mix oil and water ingredients together and keep them blended throughout the product's shelf life.
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UNII 1HG84L3525
Formaldehyde is a preservative chemical that prevents bacterial and fungal growth in medicines. It keeps the product safe and stable during storage by stopping contamination.
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UNII PDC6A3C0OX
Glycerin is a clear, thick liquid derived from plant oils or fats. It acts as a humectant to retain moisture, a sweetener, and a solvent in medications.
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UNII KC98RO82HJ
A waxy substance made from glycerin and fatty acids. It acts as an emulsifier to help mix oil and water components, and as a thickener to give the medicine proper texture and consistency.
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UNII 0RE8K4LNJS
Isopropyl myristate is an oily liquid made from coconut or palm oil. It's used in medicines as an emollient and penetration enhancer to help the medicine absorb through skin or improve spreadability in topical products.
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UNII 884C3FA9HE
Lanolin alcohol is a waxy substance derived from sheep's wool. It functions as an emollient and emulsifier in medicines, helping blend oil and water-based ingredients while softening the product's texture.
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UNII C9H2L21V7U
A fat derived from coconut or palm oil containing shorter fatty acid chains. It serves as a solvent and carrier to help dissolve or suspend active ingredients, improving absorption and stability in liquid formulations.
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UNII T5L8T28FGP
Mineral oil is a clear, odorless liquid derived from crude oil. It acts as a lubricant and emollient in medications, helping pills slide smoothly during manufacturing and aiding moisture retention in topical products.
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UNII 55X04QC32I
A strong alkaline chemical used to adjust and maintain the pH balance of liquid medicines. It helps keep the medicine stable and ensures it stays effective during storage.
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UNII 059QF0KO0R
Water is a liquid solvent that dissolves and mixes ingredients together in liquid medicines, syrups, and injections. It helps distribute the active drug evenly throughout the product.
11 inactive ingredients listed in the exact product block matched to this NDC.
Where does this data come from?
ingredient classCode="IACT" elements from the exact product block matched by this NDC. Label-section narrative from DailyMed / the openFDA label index is shown separately when available.Inactive ingredient FAQ
Are inactive ingredients the same for every manufacturer?
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💲 Pricing
A drug doesn't have one price. Each row is a different public payment system, and none is what you'd pay at the counter — that depends on your insurance. The ⓘ on each row explains what it measures.
| Price system | Per g | Per package |
|---|---|---|
| Retail pharmacies payNADAC · weekly | $0.231 | $13.88 / 60 g |
| Medicaid paysCMS SDUD · 12 mo | $0.3757 | $22.54 / 60 g |
| Medicare drug plans payPart D · Q2 2026 | $0.4108 | $24.65 / 60 g |
Where does this data come from?
🔁 Therapeutic equivalents
| Product | Labeler | Pack | NADAC/unit | TE | Status | Price vs. this |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permethrin 50 mg/g 00472-0242-60 | Actavis | 1 tube | $0.224 | AB | Discontinued | save 3% |
| Permethrin 50 mg/g 16714-0897-01 | Northstar | 1 tube | $0.231 | AB | Availability likely | — |
| Permethrin 50 mg/gthis 21922-0021-07 | Encube | 1 tube | $0.231 | AB | Availability likely | — |
| Permethrin 50 mg/g 45802-0269-37 | Padagis | 1 tube | $0.231 | AB | Availability likely | — |
| Permethrin 50 mg/g 84386-0073-60 | Aurobindo | 1 tube | $0.231 | AB | Availability likely | — |
| Permethrin 50 mg/g 50090-5888-00 | A-S | 1 tube | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Elimite 50 mg/g 59651-0834-60 | Aurobindo | 1 tube | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Permethrin 50 mg/g 68788-8439-06 | Preferred | 1 tube | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Permethrin 50 mg/g 70518-2945-00 | REMEDYREPACK | 1 tube | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Permethrin 50 mg/g 71335-2899-01 | Bryant | 1 tube | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Permethrin 50 mg/g 72162-2171-06 | Bryant | 1 tube | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
Where does this data come from?
⏳ Availability & generic status
This product is an FDA-approved generic. Other versions of the same drug are listed under Therapeutic equivalents, least expensive first.
Where does this data come from?
🗺️ Medicaid utilization & spend
📊 Medicare Part D spend CMS · PART D · 2026 (Q1)
📦 Packaging — all sizes for this product
| Package NDC | Description | Marketing start | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21922-0021-07 You're viewing this | 1 TUBE in 1 CARTON (21922-021-07) / 60 g in 1 TUBE | 2019-04-08 | Active |
📄 Full prescribing information FDA SPL
🎯 Indications and Usage ▾
INDICATIONS AND USAGE Permethrin Cream 5% w/w is indicated for the treatment of infestation with Sarcoptesscabiei (scabies).
⏱️ Dosage and Administration ▾
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Adults and children - Thoroughly massage Permethrin Cream 5% w/w into the skin from the head to the soles of the feet. Scabies rarely infests the scalp of adults, although the hairline, neck, temple, and forehead may be infested in infants and geriatric patients. Usually 30 grams is sufficient for an average adult.
The cream should be removed by washing (shower or bath) after 8 to 14 hours. Infants should be treated on the scalp, temple, and forehead. ONE APPLICATION IS GENERALLY CURATIVE .
Patients may experience persistent pruritus after treatment. This is rarely a sign of treatment failure and is not an indication for retreatment. Demonstrable living mites after 14 days indicate that retreatment is necessary.
⛔ Contraindications ▾
CONTRAINDICATIONS Permethrin Cream 5% w/w is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any of its components, to any synthetic pyrethroid or pyrethrin.
⚠️ Warnings ▾
WARNINGS If hypersensitivity to Permethrin Cream 5% w/w occurs, discontinue use.
🤒 Adverse Reactions ▾
ADVERSE REACTIONS In clinical trials, generally mild and transient burning and stinging followed application with Permethrin Cream 5% w/w in 10% of patients and was associated with the severity of infestation. Pruritus was reported in 7% of patients at various times post-application. Erythema, numbness, tingling, and rash were reported in 1 to 2% or less of patients (see PRECAUTIONS - General ).
Other adverse events reported since marketing Permethrin Cream 5% w/w include: headache, fever, dizziness, abdominal pain, diarrhea and nausea and/or vomiting. Although extremely uncommon and not expected when used as directed (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ), rare occurrences of seizure have been reported. None have been medically confirmed as associated with Permethrin Cream 5% w/w treatment.
🤰 Pregnancy ▾
Pregnancy: Teratogenic Effects: Pregnancy Category B Reproduction studies have been performed in mice, rats, and rabbits (200 to 400 mg/kg/day orally) and have revealed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus due to permethrin. There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.
🧒 Pediatric Use ▾
Pediatric Use Permethrin Cream 5% w/w is safe and effective in pediatric patients two months of age and older. Safety and effectiveness in infants less than two months of age have not been established.
🧓 Geriatric Use ▾
Geriatric Use Clinical studies of Permethrin Cream 5% w/w did not identify sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to allow a definitive statement regarding whether elderly subjects respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. This drug is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney.
However, since topical permethrin is metabolized in the liver and excreted in the urine as inactive metabolites, there does not appear to be an increased risk of toxic reactions in patients with impaired renal function when used as labeled.
🆘 Overdosage ▾
OVERDOSAGE No instance of accidental ingestion of Permethrin Cream 5% w/w has been reported. If ingested, gastric lavage and general supportive measures should be employed. Excessive topical use (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ) may result in increased irritation and erythema.
🧬 Clinical Pharmacology ▾
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY Permethrin, a pyrethroid, is active against a broad range of pests including lice, ticks, fleas, mites, and other arthropods. It acts on the nerve cell membrane to disrupt the sodium channel current by which the polarization of the membrane is regulated. Delayed repolarization and paralysis of the pests are the consequences of this disturbance.
Permethrin is rapidly metabolized by ester hydrolysis to inactive metabolites which are excreted primarily in the urine. Although the amount of permethrin absorbed after a single application of the 5% cream has not been determined precisely, data from studies with 14 C-labeled permethrin and absorption studies of the cream applied to patients with moderate to severe scabies indicate it is 2% or less of the amount applied.
📦 How Supplied / Storage and Handling ▾
HOW SUPPLIED Permethrin Cream 5% w/w is available as follows: 60 g tube ( NDC 21922-021-07). STORAGE Store at 20-25°C (68-77°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Encube Ethicals Private Limited at 1-833-285-4151or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Manufactured by: Encube Ethicals Pvt. Ltd. Plot No.
C-1, Madkaim Industrial Estate, Madkaim, Post: Mardol, Ponda, Goa – 403 404, India. Distributed by: Encube Ethicals, Inc. 200 Meredith Drive, Suite 202, Durham, NC 27713 USA Rev 04 May 2025
📋 Description ▾
DESCRIPTION Permethrin Cream 5% w/w is a topical scabicidal agent for the treatment of infestation with Sarcoptesscabiei (scabies). It is available in an off-white, vanishing cream base. Permethrin Cream 5% w/w is for topical use only.
Chemical Name - The permethrin used is an approximate 1:3 mixture of the cis and trans isomers of the pyrethroid 3-(2,2-dichloroethenyl)-2,2- dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid, ( 3-phenoxyphenyl) methyl ester. Permethrin has a molecular formula of C 21 H 20 Cl 2 O 3 and a molecular weight of 391.29. It is a yellow to light orange-brown, low melting solid or viscous liquid.
Active Ingredient - Each gram contains permethrin 50 mg (5%). Inactive Ingredients - Carbomer homopolymer type B, medium-chain triglycerides, glycerin, mono-and diglycerides, isopropyl myristate, lanolin alcohols, mineral oil, polyoxyethylene (20) cetyl ethers, purified water, and sodium hydroxide. Formaldehyde 1 mg (0.1%) is added as a preservative. structure.jpg
💬 Information for Patients ▾
Information for Patients Patients with scabies should be advised that itching, mild burning and/or stinging may occur after application of Permethrin Cream 5% w/w. In clinical trials, approximately 75% of patients treated with Permethrin Cream 5% w/w who continued to manifest pruritus at 2 weeks had cessation by 4 weeks. If irritation persists, they should consult their physician.
Permethrin Cream 5% w/w may be very mildly irritating to the eyes. Patients should be advised to avoid contact with eyes during application and to flush with water immediately if Permethrin Cream 5% w/w gets in the eyes.