Malathion .0005 g/mL Lotion
🆔 Identity & classification
Where does this data come from?
🏭 Manufacturer & labeler
Where does this data come from?
🩺 Clinical
Malathion lotion is used to treat head lice (small insects that attach themselves to the skin) in adults and children 6 years of age and older. It should not be used in infants and children younger than 2 years of age. Malathion is in a class of medications called pediculicides. It works by killing lice.
Read the full MedlinePlus article ↗- Always apply it to dry hair. Work the lotion through your hair and scalp until everything is thoroughly wet, and pay extra attention to the back of the head and neck where lice lik...
- How exactly do I use malathion lotion — do I put it on wet or dry hair?
- The lotion is highly flammable — that's a real fire risk, not just a precaution. While your hair is wet with the lotion, you also need to stay away from lit cigarettes, open flames...
- Why can't I use a hair dryer after applying the lotion?
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 ND2M416302
Isopropyl alcohol is a clear liquid solvent derived from petroleum. In medicines, it dissolves active ingredients and other components, helps the product flow smoothly, and aids in sterilization during manufacturing.
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UNII 9MC3I34447
A natural oil extracted from citrus peel, used as a flavoring agent and solvent to improve taste and help dissolve or distribute other ingredients in the medicine.
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UNII 5EXL5H740Y
A natural oil extracted from Scotch pine needles, used as a flavoring agent and fragrance component in medicines. It adds taste and aroma to improve how the medication tastes or smells.
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UNII R53Q4ZWC99
Terpineol is a fragrant alcohol derived from pine oil or other plant sources. It's used in medicines as a flavoring agent and to improve the taste or aroma of the product.
4 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 mL | Per package |
|---|---|---|
| Retail pharmacies payNADAC · weekly | $3.201 | $188.84 / 59 ml |
| Medicaid paysCMS SDUD · 12 mo | $3.10 | $182.65 / 59 ml |
| Medicare drug plans payPart D · Q2 2026 | $3.11 | $183.29 / 59 ml |
Where does this data come from?
🔁 Therapeutic equivalents
| Product | Labeler | Pack | NADAC/unit | TE | Status | Price vs. this |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malathion .0005 g/mLthis 51672-5294-04 | Sun | 1 bottle | $3.201 | — | Availability likely | — |
| Ovide .0005 g/mL 51672-5293-04 | Sun | 1 bottle | — | — | 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)
🔬 Reported adverse events (FAERS)
Top reported reactions
Age at onset
Reporter sex
Serious outcomes
Where does this data come from?
📦 Packaging — all sizes for this product
| Package NDC | Description | Marketing start | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 51672-5294-04 You're viewing this | 1 BOTTLE in 1 CARTON (51672-5294-4) / 59 mL in 1 BOTTLE | 2014-01-31 | Active |
📄 Full prescribing information FDA SPL
🎯 Indications and Usage ▾
INDICATIONS AND USAGE Malathion 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 malathion 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 malathion 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 malathion 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 Malathion lotion is contraindicated for neonates and infants because their scalps are more permeable and may have increased absorption of malathion. Malathion lotion should also not be used on individuals known to be sensitive to malathion or any of the ingredients in the vehicle.
⚠️ Warnings ▾
WARNINGS Malathion 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 malathion lotion. Malathion lotion should only be used on children under the direct supervision of an adult. If malathion 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 malathion lotion, and if irritation reoccurs, consult a physician.
Chemical burns including second-degree burns and stinging sensations may occur with the use of malathion 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 Malathion 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 malathion lotion should wash hands after application.
Allow hair to dry naturally and to remain uncovered after application of malathion lotion. Malathion 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 malathion lotion by mouth, seek medical attention immediately. If you are pregnant or nursing, you should contact your physician before using malathion lotion. If malathion 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, malathion lotion may be reapplied.
If irritation reoccurs, consult a physician. Burns and stinging sensations may occur when using malathion lotion. Apply malathion 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 malathion lotion. Anyone applying malathion 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 malathion 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 malathion 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 grea…
🤒 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 malathion lotion has the potential to cause contact allergic sensitization.
🤰 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.
🧒 Pediatric Use ▾
Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of malathion lotion in children less than 6 years of age has not been established via well-controlled trials.
🆘 Overdosage ▾
OVERDOSAGE Consideration should be given, as part of the treatment program, to the high concentration of isopropyl alcohol in the vehicle. Malathion, although a weaker cholinesterase inhibitor than some other organophosphates, may be expected to exhibit the same symptoms of cholinesterase depletion after accidental ingestion orally. If accidentally swallowed, vomiting should be induced promptly or the stomach lavaged with 5% sodium bicarbonate solution.
Severe respiratory distress is the major and most serious symptom of organophosphate poisoning requiring artificial respiration, and atropine may be needed to counteract the symptoms of cholinesterase depletion. Repeat analyses of serum and RBC cholinesterase may assist in establishing the diagnosis and formulating a long - range prognosis.
🧬 Clinical Pharmacology ▾
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY Malathion is an organophosphate agent which acts as a pediculicide by inhibiting cholinesterase activity in vivo. Inadvertent transdermal absorption of malathion has occurred from its agricultural use. In such cases, acute toxicity was manifested by excessive cholinergic activity, i.e., increased sweating, salivary and gastric secretion, gastrointestinal and uterine motility, and bradycardia (see OVERDOSAGE ).
Because the potential for transdermal absorption of malathion from malathion lotion is not known at this time, strict adherence to the dosing instructions regarding its use in children, method of application, duration of exposure, and frequency of application is required.
📦 How Supplied / Storage and Handling ▾
HOW SUPPLIED Malathion Lotion USP, 0.5%, is supplied in bottles of 2 fl. oz. (59 mL) NDC 51672-5294-4. Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Flammable. Keep away from heat and open flame.
📦 Storage and Handling ▾
Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Flammable. Keep away from heat and open flame.
📋 Description ▾
DESCRIPTION Malathion lotion contains 0.005 g of malathion per mL in a vehicle of isopropyl alcohol (78% v/v), terpineol, dipentene, and pine needle oil. The chemical name of malathion is (±) - [(dimethoxyphosphinothioyl) - thio] butanedioic acid diethyl ester. Malathion has a molecular weight of 330.36, represented by C 10 H 19 O 6 PS 2 , and has the following chemical structure: Chemical Structure
💬 Information for Patients ▾
Information to Patients Malathion 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 malathion lotion should wash hands after application. Allow hair to dry naturally and to remain uncovered after application of malathion lotion. Malathion 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 malathion lotion by mouth, seek medical attention immediately. If you are pregnant or nursing, you should contact your physician before using malathion lotion.
If malathion 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, malathion lotion may be reapplied. If irritation reoccurs, consult a physician. Burns and stinging sensations may occur when using malathion lotion.
Apply malathion 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 malathion lotion. Anyone applying malathion 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 malathion 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.