Spinosad

What is Spinosad

Spinosad is a topical product used for the treatment of head lice infestations. Spinosad is derived from the fermentation of a soil actinomycete bacterium, Saccharopolyspora spinosa. 

In premarketing clinical trials, patients were randomized to treatment with either spinosad or permethrin 1% and were reevaluated 7 days after treatment. If live lice were still present, patients received a second treatment.

In these trials, 84—86% of spinosad patients were free of live lice 14 days after the last treatment compared to 42—44% of patients treated with permethrin.

Spinosad topical suspension contains benzyl alcohol as an inactive ingredient and is therefore not recommended for use in neonates and infants < 6 months of age. Spinosad was initially FDA-approved in adults, adolescents, and children > 4 years of age in January 2011; in December 2014, FDA-approval was extended to children and infants >= 6 months of age.

Brand Name

Natroba

Indications & Dosage

• pediculosis
• Pediculus capitis

Side Effects

• alopecia
• erythema
• skin irritation
• xerosis

Monitoring Parameters

• laboratory monitoring not necessary

Contraindications

• breast-feeding
• infants
• neonates
• pregnancy

Interactions

There are no drug interactions associated with Spinosad products.