This medication is used to treat head and crab (pubic) lice. Lice are tiny insects that lay eggs (nits) on hair shafts. Lice can easily spread to those in close contact with you. Lindane works by killing the lice and nits. An infection with lice is also called an infestation. This drug should not be used to prevent lice infestation or re-infestation.

Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start using lindane. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

This drug can be poisonous if used incorrectly. Do not take this drug by mouth, and avoid contact with your eyes, nose, or mouth. If lindane gets in these areas, rinse with water immediately and get medical help right away if a burning feeling remains. Do not use if there is skin irritation (such as open wounds, rash, cuts, or sores) on the area to be treated unless directed to do so by your doctor. Do not apply any oil-based hair products (such as oil treatments or oil-based hair dressings/conditioners) immediately before or after using lindane. If you are currently using any of these products, they must be washed off before you apply lindane. Oil-based products may increase the absorption of lindane, increasing the risk of side effects.

Wash your hair with your regular shampoo (without conditioner) and dry it well. Wait at least 1 hour after drying your hair before using lindane shampoo.

Most adults require only 1 ounce (30 milliliters), but those with longer and thicker hair should use no more than 2 ounces (60 milliliters).

Shake the bottle well before use. For application, use gloves made of nitrile, latex with neoprene, or sheer vinyl to avoid unnecessary contact with your skin. Do not use natural latex gloves because more lindane can penetrate that type of glove. Apply a small amount of lindane to lightly coat your hair and scalp as directed by your doctor. Work thoroughly (do not lather) through dry hair. Do not add water. Make sure to include the fine hairs along your neck and behind your ears. Leave lindane in your hair for exactly 4 minutes (use a timer or clock). Do not cover your hair with anything (such as a shower cap or towel). After 4 minutes, add a small amount of warm (not hot) water, rub until a lather forms, then immediately rinse away all lather. Try to keep lindane from touching other parts of your body. Do not re-apply. Dry your hair with a towel, then use the special nit comb or tweezers to remove the nits. It is best to have someone else do this for you to make sure all the nits are removed. They should wear gloves while removing the nits.

Close the bottle with any remaining lindane and throw it away out of reach from children and pets. Wash your hands well after treatment.

If an infant or young child is prescribed lindane, watch the child carefully while the lindane shampoo is in the hair to make sure the child does not touch the hair then put the hands in the mouth.

If you are putting lindane shampoo on someone else, use gloves as directed above. Wash your hands well afterwards.

The easiest way to tell if you have lice is to look for small gray-white nits fixed to the hair shafts. Symptoms of lice include an intense itching, mostly on the scalp, but also possibly on the eyebrows, eyelashes, beard, or groin. Itching may continue even after treatment with lindane shampoo. Even if the lindane kills all the lice, the dead lice can still make you itch for a long time after treatment. Ask your doctor about other medications that may be used to soothe the itching.

Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse 1-2 weeks after treatment.

See also Warning section.

Stinging, burning, or redness of the skin may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including:

• vomiting
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• seizures

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:

• rash
• itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
• severe dizziness
• trouble breathing

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

See also Warning section.

Before using lindane shampoo, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

• other skin conditions (such as psoriasis, dermatitis)
• HIV infection
• history of serious head injury
• seizures
• brain tumors
• liver disease
• alcohol abuse
• sudden stopping of regular alcohol or sedative use

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).

Before having an imaging test (such as X-rays, CT scan) requiring the use of dye, tell your doctor that you have used this medication.

This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Consult your doctor for more details. If you are pregnant, do not apply lindane shampoo to others unless it is absolutely necessary and you have discussed it with your doctor. Use gloves as directed. (See How to Use section.)

Lindane passes into breast milk and could have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Your baby should not come into direct contact with your skin while it has lindane on it. In addition, to lessen the chance of exposing your baby to the medication and possible side effects, pump your breast milk and discard it for 24 hours after using lindane. During this time, feed your baby formula or breast milk you stored from before you used lindane shampoo.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

This medicine may be harmful if swallowed. If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call 1-844-764-7669. Symptoms of overdose may include nausea, vomiting, restlessness, unsteadiness, seizures, irregular heartbeat.

Do not share this medication with others.

Lice are easily passed from one person to another. All family members and people you have close contact with (especially if you have crab/pubic hair lice) should be examined.

After treatment, soak all possibly infested combs, brushes, and other hair care items in water that has been heated to 130 degrees F (54 degrees C) for 5 to 10 minutes. Also, any recently worn clothing, hats, sheets/blankets, plush/fabric toys, and towels should be washed in very hot water or dry-cleaned.

Not applicable.

Store at room temperature. Do not freeze. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.