Comparative Study Between Permethrin-5% and Oral Ivermectin for the Treatment of Scabies

Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacy of 5% Permethrin with the oral Ivermectin for management of scabies. Study Design: Quasi-experimental Study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Dermatology, CMH, Abbottabad Pakistan, from Jun to Nov 2021. Methodology: Our study enrolled 100 patients, aged 5-80 years, after informed consent. Demographic information and study variables were noted in a data collection tool. All participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups i.e. Group A received Permethrin 5% twice with a one-week interval, whereas Group B received a single dose of oral Ivermectin. The evaluation was conducted at 2-4 week intervals. Results: From our sample of 100 participants, 57 were females and 43 were males; age ranged from 5 to 80 years. Group A of Permethrin-5% 43(86%) patients’ symptoms improved than in Group B 24(48%) patients of oral Ivermectin. There was also a statistically significant relationship between Permethrin and Ivermectin (p-value<0.001). Conclusions: Permethrin is more effective than Ivermectin as first dose response. Permethrin is more compliant and safer for scabies patients.

Keywords

• Ivermectin, Permethrin, Scabies