This information from Lexicomp® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.
Brand Names: US
Natroba
What is this drug used for?
- It is used to treat head lice.
- It is used to treat scabies.
What do I need to tell the doctor BEFORE my child takes this drug?
For all uses of this drug:
- If your child is allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell the doctor about the allergy and what signs your child had.
- If the patient is a child younger than 6 months of age. Do not give this drug to an infant younger than 6 months of age.
Scabies:
- Do not give this drug to a child younger than 4 years of age.
This drug may interact with other drugs or health problems.
Tell the doctor and pharmacist about all of your child’s drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe to give this drug with all of your child’s other drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug your child takes without checking with the doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while my child takes this drug?
For all uses of this drug:
- Tell all of your child’s health care providers that your child is taking this drug. This includes your child’s doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- Talk with your child’s doctor before you use other drugs or products on your child’s skin. This includes soaps.
- This drug has benzyl alcohol in it. Benzyl alcohol may cause severe and sometimes deadly side effects in newborns or infants when given in an injection through the vein. This drug is not approved for use in newborns or infants younger than 6 months of age.
- This drug may cause harm if swallowed. If this drug is swallowed, call a doctor or poison control center right away.
If your child is pregnant or breast-feeding a baby:
- Talk with the doctor if your child is pregnant, becomes pregnant, or is breast-feeding a baby. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to your child and the baby.
Scabies:
- If your child is breast-feeding a baby and uses this drug on the breast or nipple, have your child wash the area before breast-feeding the baby.
What are some side effects that I need to call my child’s doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your child’s doctor or get medical help right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Irritation where this drug was used.
- Eye irritation.
What are some other side effects of this drug?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your child’s doctor or get medical help if your child has any side effects that bother your child or do not go away.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your child’s doctor. Call your child’s doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to your national health agency.
How is this drug best given?
Give this drug as ordered by your child’s doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
Lice:
- Do not give by mouth. Use on your child’s scalp and hair only. Keep out of your child’s mouth, nose, and eyes (may burn).
- Wash your hands before and after use.
- Shake well before use.
- Cover your child’s eyes and face with a towel.
- Do not wet hair before putting this drug on.
- Coat hair and scalp.
- Leave on for 10 minutes.
- Rinse fully with warm water. You may use shampoo after this drug is rinsed out.
- You may use a special nit comb or tweezers to get rid of dead nits (lice eggs) from hair, but you do not have to get rid of the nits. The lotion kills the nits too.
- Wash all hair combs, brushes, hair clips, bedding, towels, and recently worn clothes in hot water or have them dry cleaned.
Scabies:
- Do not give this drug by mouth. For skin only. Keep out of your child’s mouth, nose, and eyes (may burn).
- Wash your hands before and after use.
- Shake well before use.
- Put a thin layer on the skin from the neck to the toes. Put in the skin folds, creases, spaces between the fingers and toes, and soles of the feet.
- If your child is balding, put on the scalp, hairline, temples, and forehead.
- Let the drug dry for at least 10 minutes before you cover it with clothes or gloves.
- Do not let your child bathe, shower, or swim for 6 hours after putting on.
- Put under fingernails.
- Wash all bedding, towels, and recently worn clothes in hot water or have them dry cleaned.
What do I do if my child misses a dose?
- Put on a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
How do I store and/or throw out this drug?
- Store at room temperature.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
General drug facts
- If your child’s symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your child’s doctor.
- Do not share your child’s drug with others and do not give anyone else’s drug to your child.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.
Last Reviewed Date
2021-05-25
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