Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Nix Creme Rinse
What is NIX® CRÈME RINSE used for?
NIX® CRÈME RINSE (Permethrin cream) is indicated for:
- the treatment of infestation with head lice and their nits (eggs).
How does NIX® CRÈME RINSE work?
Permethrin affects the nervous system in insects, causing muscle spasms, paralysis and death.
What are the ingredients in NIX® CRÈME RINSE?
Medicinal ingredients: Permethrin
Non-medicinal ingredients: Balsam Canada, Cetyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, FD&C Yellow No. 6, Hydrolyzed Animal Protein, Hydroxyethyl Cellulose, Isopropyl Alcohol, Methylparaben, Poloxyethylene 10 Cetyl Ether, Propylene Glycol, Propylparaben, Stearalkonium Chloride, Water
NIX® CRÈME RINSE comes in the following dosage forms:
- Cream, 1% w/w
Do not use NIX® CRÈME RINSE if:
Serious Warnings and Precautions
Consult a doctor or pharmacist before use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Do not use NIX® CRÈME RINSE if you are allergic to any of the ingredients, synthetic pyrethroids or pyrethrin, or chrysanthemums.
- hypersensitive to this drug or to any ingredient in the formulation, including any non-medicinal ingredient, or component of the container.
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take NIX® CRÈME RINSE. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- are allergic to any of the ingredients, synthetic pyrethroids or pyrethrin, or chrysanthemums. Discontinue use if reactions occurs.
- are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- are elderly.
Other warnings you should know about:
- For external use only.
Do not use in children under 2 years of age.
- Use NIX® CRÈME RINSE only when live lice or their eggs are present. Do not use regularly to prevent head lice.
- NIX® CRÈME RINSE is not irritating to eyes; however, if it should get into them, rinse eyes immediately with water.
- Avoid contact with the eyes, nose, mouth, mucous membranes or broken skin.
- Head lice infestation is often accompanied by itching, redness, and swelling. Treatment with NIX® CRÈME RINSE may temporarily worsen these conditions. If skin irritation occurs and does not improve, consult a doctor.
- To prevent accidental ingestion by children, the remaining contents of NIX® CRÈME RINSE should be discarded.
- For best results, use as directed. Incorrect use may cause treatment failure.
How to help prevent reinfestation
Cleaning of personal articles is also an important part of head lice management and may help prevent reinfestation. Personal belongings including recently worn clothing, towels and bed linens should be machine washed in hot water and dried using the hot cycle of the dryer for at least 20 minutes. Personal articles of clothing or bedding that cannot be washed may be dry cleaned or sealed in a plastic bag for a period of two weeks. Combs and brushes should be disinfected by soaking in hot water (above 130 O F/54 OC) for 5 to 10 minutes.
Children should be advised not to use any borrowed combs or brushes, nor wear anyone else’s clothes, especially hats. Inspect all family members from time to time for any new lice infestation. If a new infestation is found treat with NIX® CREME RINSE.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
How to take NIX® CRÈME RINSE:
- 1. Wash the hair with conditioner-free shampoo. Do not use conditioner. Rinse with water and towel dry thoroughly.
- 2. Shake bottle well. Apply a sufficient amount of the product (1/2 to 1 bottle) to thoroughly saturate the hair and scalp, especially behind the ears and at the base of the neck.
- 3. Leave product on the hair for 10 minutes.
- 4. Rinse product off hair with water and towel dry hair.
- 5. Comb hair with regular comb to remove tangles.
- 6.
Remove nits:
- Part hair into sections, starting as close to the scalp as possible.
- Remove the nits using the nit removal comb provided. Be sure to comb to the end of the hair shaft.
- Disinfect the nit comb by soaking in hot water after each use.
- Inspect full head of hair thoroughly for any stray nits.
- 7. Repeat nit removal procedure daily for the 7 days following treatment.
A single application is usually sufficient to eliminate a head lice infestation. The active ingredient in NIX® CRÈME RINSE persists on the hair for 10 days, even after subsequent washing with a conditioner-free shampoo.
If you see live lice or nits after the first application, the residual effect should kill these. If you still see live lice or nits on the 7th day (or after) following the first application, NIX® CREME RINSE should be applied a second time, as described above.
Usual dose:
Adults and children 2 years of age and over: Thoroughly saturate the hair and scalp with 1/2 to 1 bottle of NIX® CRÈME RINSE.
Overdose:
In case of accidental swallowing, please seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms of overdose may include dizziness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, headache, weakness, seizures, and loss of consciousness.
| If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have taken too much NIX® CRÈME RINSE, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms. |
What are possible side effects from using NIX® CRÈME RINSE?
These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking NIX® CRÈME RINSE. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.
Occasional itching has been known to occur. This is usually a consequence of head lice infestation itself, but may be temporarily worsened following treatment with NIX® CRÈME RINSE.
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop using drug and get immediate medical help | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
| RARE | |||
| Swelling or redness | X | ||
| Mild burning, stinging, tingling, numbness, or discomfort | X | ||
Allergic reaction Including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing | X | ||
| Rash on the scalp, feelings of pins and needle in the hands, arms, legs, or feet, eczema, skin swelling or irritation, or sharp pain | X | ||
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice. |
Storage:
Store between 15 °C and 25 °C.
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about NIX® CRÈME RINSE:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website: (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html; the manufacturer’s website https://www.prestigebrands.com/products/skin-care/nix-lice-removal-products , or by calling 1-888-542-3546.