The Comparison of Oral Ivermectin and Topical Lindane in the Treatment of Scabies

Background: scabies is a common skin disease and a public health problem. the topical antiscabietics have a poor compliance. the aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of oral ivermectin with topical lindane solution in the treatment of scabies. methods: this was a prospective comparative open study. fifty seven patients were randomized in two groups. one group (32 patients) received 200ìg/kg body weight of ivermectin in two oral doses with a one-week interval, and the second group, (25 patients) received 2 consecutive weekly topical applications of lindane. all patients were followed up for 2 weeks. results: a single oral dose of ivermectin cured 72% of patients and 91% of the patients were cured after the second dose. two applications of lindane with a one-week interval cured 92% of cases. conclusion: compared to topical lindane in the treatment of scabies, ivermectin was at least as effective as lindane.