Lindane (Topical)

Brand name(s): Kwell

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For lindane, the following should be considered:

Allergies-Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to lindane. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives or dyes.

Pregnancy-Lindane has not been studied in pregnant women. You and your doctor must discuss the risks and benefits of this medicine before using it. Lindane is absorbed through the skin of pregnant women and could possibly cause toxic effects in the central nervous system (CNS) of the unborn baby. Use lindane only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.. Studies in animals have shown that lindane can cause birth defects and other problems.

Breast-feeding-Lindane is absorbed through the mother's skin and is present in breast milk. There may be a risk of serious side effects if lindane from breast milk is eaten by your baby or from skin absorption from mother to baby. You should interrupt breast-feeding by expressing the milk and throwing the milk away for at least 24 hours following use Be sure you have discussed the risks and benefits of this medicine with your doctor.

Children-Infants and children or people who weigh less than 110 pounds (50 kilograms) are especially sensitive to the effects of lindane. This may increase the chance of serious side effects during treatment. Be sure you have discussed the risks and benefits of using this medicine with your doctor. In addition, use of lindane is not to be used in premature infants.

Older adults-Elderly people or people who weigh less than 110 pounds (50 kilograms) are especially sensitive to the effects of lindane. This may increase the chance of serious side effects during treatment. Be sure you have discussed the risks and benefits of this medicine with your doctor.

Other medicines-Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are using lindane, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are using any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

• Antidepressants-medicine used for depression or
• Antipsychotics-medicine used to treat mental disorders or
• Anticholinesterases (donepezil [e.g., Aricept], galantamine [e.g., Reminyl], rivastigmine [e.g., Exelon], and tacrine [e.g., Cognex]) or
• Choloroquine (e.g., Aralen) or
• Cyclosporine (e.g., Sandimmune) or
• Imipenem (e.g., Primaxin) or
• Isoniazid (e.g., INH) or
• Meperidine (e.g., Demerol) or
• Methocarbamol (e.g., Robaxin) or
• Mycophenolate mofetil (e.g., CellCept) or
• Penicillins-medicines used to treat infections or
• Pyrimethamine (e.g., Daraprim) or
• Quinolone antibiotics-medicines to treat infections or
• Radiographic contrast agents-Dye used for certain x-ray procedures or
• Tacrolimus (e.g., Prograf) or
• Theophylline-medicine used to help you breathe better-These medicines can cause certain side effects when used at the same time as lindane and they should be used together very carefully.

• Skin, scalp, or hair preparations such as creams, lotions, ointments, or oil-Using these at the same time as lindane may cause more lindane to be absorbed through the skin

Other medical problems-The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of lindane. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Alcohol use that is excessive, or
• Brain tumor or
• Head injuries, history of, or
• HIV Infection or
• Liver disease, or
• Seizures, history of
• Suddenly stopping the regular use of alcohol or sedatives -Patients with these conditions should use lindane carefully because these patients have a greater risk of having a seizure

• Hypersensitivity to lindane

• Seizure disorder-This medicine should not be used in patients with seizure disorders

• Skin conditions-This medicine should not be used in people with crusted scabies, atopic dermatitis, or psoriasis. These problems of the skin could cause more lindane to be absorbed in your body and result in serious side effects.

Last Revised: 7/17/2003