Ectoparasiticide
An ectoparasiticide is an antiparasitic drug used in the treatment of ectoparasitic infestations.[1] These drugs are used to kill the parasites that live on the body surface. Permethrin, sulfur, lindane, dicophane, benzyl benzoate, ivermectin and crotamiton are well known ectoparasiticides.[2]
*ECTOPARASITICIDES*
Drugs used to kill parasites(lice and mites) that live on body surface.
Example-
_PERMETHRIN_ -
broad spectrum and potent pyrethroid insecticide and is most convenient for both scabies and lice . first choice drug.100% cure rate.
_CROTAMITON_ -
Second choice drug. Effective scabicide,pediculocide and antipruritic. Cure rate 60-88%.
_BENZYL BENZOATE_ -
2nd line drug for scabies and is seldom used for pediculosis. Cure rate 76-100%
_LINDANE_ -
Effective in treating headlice(67-92%cure) and scabies(84-92%cure) by single treatment
_SULFUR_ -
Oldest scabicide and weak pediculocide,antiseptic,fungicide and keratolytic.
_IVERMECTIN_ -
Antihelminthic drug found highly effective in scabies and pediculosis. it is the only orally administered drug used for ectoparasitosis
_DICOPHAN_ -
Popular insecticide for mosquito,flies and other pest.
*MECHANISM OF ACTION*
Permethrin-causes neurological paralysis in insect probably by delaying depolarosation.
Lindane-penetrate through chitinous covers and affecting nervous system.
SULFUR-applied to skin it is slowly reduced to H2S and oxidized to SO2 and pentathionic acid which dissolve the cuticle of itchmite and kill it
DICOPHANE- penetrates through the exoskeleton and acts as a neurotoxin.
IVERMECTIN- acts through special type of glutamate gated Cl ion channel found only in invertebrates.
*USES of ECTOPARASITCIDES*
Treatment of scabies and pediculosis
References
- Taylor MA (May 2001). "Recent developments in ectoparasiticides". Vet. J. 161 (3): 253–68. doi:10.1053/tvjl.2000.0549. PMID 11352483.
- Tripathi, J.D (2010). Textbook of Pharmacology. Jeypee Publications. pp. 862–863. ISBN 978-81-8448-085-6.