Treatment of scabies with 5 % permethrin cream: Results of a German multicenter study

Background: Until recently, no prescription drug containing permethrin for the therapy of scabies was available on the German market. Therefore, a 5 % permethrin cream formulation (InfectoScab® 5 %) was tested in a single-arm multicenter study including adults and children from 3 months of age with proven scabies. Patients and Methods: On day 0, patients were treated once with permethrin cream in the study center. Control examinations including dermatoscopy were performed on day 14±2 and on day 28±3. Patients who were not considered cured or who had contact to individuals with untreated scabies received one further treatment with permethrin cream on day 14±2. Itching and local tolerability of the cream were documented in patients'diaries. Side effects were assessed by history, skin inspection and evaluation of patients' notes. Results: 106 patients in 13 centers were enrolled in the study. Their mean age was 29.2 years (range, 141 days to 71.9 years); 34 % of them were children or adolescents. 78.3 % of patients were either severely (3 body sites) or very severely (4-5 sites) affected. The cure rate on day 28±3 was 95.1 % (95 % confidence interval, 91.0-99.3 %). Pruritus declined markedly and continuously. In general, the cream was well tolerated; side effects were almost invariably mild. Conclusions: Our results support the efficacy and safety of 5 % permethrin cream in adults, children and infants suffering from scabies. These results have contributed to the approval of InfectoScab® 5 % in Germany for the treatment of scabies in October 2004.