Ectoparasiticide

An ectoparasiticide is an antiparasitic drug used in the treatment of ectoparasitic infestations.[1] These drugs are used to kill the parasites that live on the body surface. Permethrin, sulfur, lindane, dicophane, benzyl benzoate, ivermectin and crotamiton are well known ectoparasiticides.[2]

*ECTOPARASITICIDES*

Drugs used to kill parasites(lice and mites) that live on body surface.

Example-

_PERMETHRIN_ -

broad spectrum and potent pyrethroid insecticide  and is most convenient for both scabies and lice . first choice drug.100% cure rate.

_CROTAMITON_ -

Second choice drug. Effective scabicide,pediculocide and antipruritic. Cure rate 60-88%.

_BENZYL BENZOATE_ -

2nd line drug for scabies and is seldom used for pediculosis. Cure rate 76-100%

_LINDANE_ -

Effective in treating headlice(67-92%cure) and scabies(84-92%cure) by single treatment

_SULFUR_ -

Oldest scabicide and weak pediculocide,antiseptic,fungicide and keratolytic.

_IVERMECTIN_ -

Antihelminthic drug found highly effective in scabies and pediculosis. it is the only orally administered drug used for ectoparasitosis

_DICOPHAN_ -

Popular insecticide for mosquito,flies and other pest.

*MECHANISM OF ACTION*

Permethrin-causes neurological paralysis in insect probably by delaying depolarosation.

Lindane-penetrate through chitinous covers and affecting nervous system.

SULFUR-applied to skin it is slowly reduced to H2S and oxidized to SO2 and pentathionic acid which dissolve the cuticle of itchmite and kill it

DICOPHANE- penetrates through the exoskeleton and acts as a neurotoxin.

IVERMECTIN- acts through special type of glutamate gated Cl ion channel found only in  invertebrates.

*USES of ECTOPARASITCIDES*

  Treatment of scabies and pediculosis