Crotamiton

Crotamiton is a drug that is used both as a scabicidal (for treating scabies) and as a general antipruritic (anti-itching drug). It is a prescription lotion based medicine that is applied to the whole body to get rid of the scabies parasite that burrows under the skin and causes itching.

Use
For treating scabies, crotamiton should be applied to the whole body rather than a localized area. It is applied 2 to 3 times, with a 24 hour delay in between applications, and the patient is asked to take a shower no sooner than after 48 hours. For children under 3 years it is applied once daily. Crotamiton can also be used to treat itching stemming from other causes, e.g. insect bites, in which case it is applied to the itching areas only, and repeated if necessary after 4 to 8 hours. Use near the eyes, or breaks in the skin, should be avoided.

Pharmacology
The mechanism of action of crotamiton is unknown, but it is toxic to the scabies mite.

Pharmacokinetics
After topical application, crotamiton is absorbed systemically. It has an elimination half-life of 30.9 hours and 4.8-8.8% is excreted in the urine.

Side effects
The most common side effect of crotamiton is skin irritation.

Trade name
Crotamiton is marketed under the trade names Eurax, which is manufactured by Ranbaxy Laboratories in the USA, and Novartis in the UK, and Euracin, which is manufactured by Green Cross in South Korea.