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Written By Santoshini Reddy G , M Pharmacy
Reviewed By Bayyarapu Mahesh Kumar , M Pharmacy
Last Updated Nov 30, 2024 | 3:21 PM IST
Gamma Lotion is used to treat scabies (infection caused by mites) and pediculosis (infestation of lice). It contains Gamma benzene hexachloride which works by killing mites, lice and their eggs. In some cases, it may cause side effects such as dryness, rash, itching, or burning sensation in the treated area. It is for external use only.
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Prescription drug

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Consume Type

TOPICAL

Return Policy

Not Returnable

for this medicine

About Gamma Lotion

Gamma Lotion belongs to a class of medications called ‘antiparasitic drugs’ used to treat scabies and pediculosis. Scabies is a skin infection caused by mites. Pediculosis is the infestation of lice in the hairy parts of the body, especially the scalp. These conditions are contagious and spread from one person to another with direct contact. Symptoms include rashes and persistent itching in the infected area, which worsens in the night-time.

Gamma Lotion contains ‘Gamma benzene hexachloride’ (also called Lindane). It is an antiparasite and acts by killing mites and lice and their eggs by penetrating the skin. It is recommended to use only if you have scabies and pediculosis. Gamma Lotion doesn't help to prevent these conditions.

Gamma Lotion is only for external use. You should use Gamma Lotion exactly as prescribed by the doctor. Gamma Lotion may cause side effects such as dryness, rash, itching, or burning sensation in the treated area. Most of these side effects of Gamma Lotion do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or get worse, please consult your doctor immediately.

It is not recommended to use Gamma Lotion if you are allergic to any of its contents. Gamma Lotion should not be used for people who have had any seizure episodes (fits). Inform your doctor if you have. Before taking Gamma Lotion, inform your doctor if you have AIDS/HIV or liver cirrhosis, alcoholism, history of head injury, spinal cord, or brain tumor. It is not recommended for premature babies, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and elderly people. It is not known whether the Gamma Lotion can interact with alcohol. So, please consult your doctor. Gamma Lotion may not affect your ability to drive.

Uses of Gamma Lotion

Treatment of Scabies and Pediculosis.

Medicinal Benefits

Gamma Lotion is an antiparasitic drug used to treat scabies (a skin infection) and pediculosis (lice infestation). Gamma Lotion kills scabies mites and their eggs by going through the skin. Gamma Lotion in shampoo form is used to treat head lice. Gamma Lotion is used to treat scabies and pediculosis in patients for whom other medicines did not work or cannot be given other safer medicines.

Directions for Use

Scabies: Apply a thin layer of 1% topical preparation to all skin surfaces, from the neck to the toes, if you have scabies. After 8 to 12 hours, thoroughly wash the substance off the body with warm water.Pediculosis: Apply 30–60 ml of 1% shampoo to dry hair for pediculosis. The amount needed for most patients will be 30 mi (up to 60 ml), depending on the length of their hair. Massage into hair for 4 minutes, then add a little water at a time to create a lather. Right away, rinse thoroughly until no more suds are visible. Use a fine-toothed comb to comb the hair after it has dried. Most of the time, a single treatment is adequate; if not, another pediculicide may be used in a week.

Storage

Store in a cool and dry place away from sunlight

Side Effects of Gamma Lotion

  • Dry skin
  • Skin rash
  • Itching
  • Burning sensation of skin

Drug Warnings

Do not use Gamma Lotion in premature infants due to the increased risk of skin permeability. If you have uncontrolled fits, inform your doctor before using Gamma Lotion. It may be absorbed by the whole body and cause central nervous system toxicity resulting in disorientation, dizziness, and fits. You are advised to wash Gamma Lotion from the body completely after 8-12 hours using warm water as leaving it on the skin for a prolonged time may lead to fatal effects. There may be skin itching for a few weeks even after using Gamma Lotion. However, if the itching worsens, please consult a doctor.  Do not use Gamma Lotion to treat the second attack of scabies that comes immediately after the first episode as using it more than one time can lead to fatal effects.

Drug Interactions

Drug-Drug Interactions: Gamma Lotion may interact with antipsychotics (haloperidol), bronchodilators (theophylline), antibiotics (imipenem, penicillins), and quinolone antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, and norfloxacin, etc.), an antidepressant (bupropion), immunosuppressants (cyclosporine, tacrolimus, and mycophenolate mofetil), antimalarial drugs (pyrimethamine and chloroquine), antituberculosis agent (isoniazid), pain killer (meperidine), muscle relaxant (methocarbamol), and radiographic contrast agents (iopamidol, iohexol).

Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found.

Drug-Disease Interactions: Gamma Lotion should not be used in patients with uncontrolled seizures (fits) disorder as it may cause worsen the condition. It should be used with caution in patients with liver cirrhosis, eczema, psoriasis, or crusted scabies.

Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List

  • HALOPERIDOL
  • THEOPHYLLINE
  • IMIPENEM
  • PENICILLIN
  • BUPROPION
  • CYCLOSPORINE
  • TACROLIMUS
  • MYCOPHENOLATE MOFETIL
  • PYRIMETHAMINE
  • CHLOROQUINE
  • ISONIAZID
  • MEPERIDINE
  • METHOCARBAMOL
  • IOPAMIDOL
  • IOHEXOL
  • CIPROFLOXACIN
  • OFLOXACIN
  • NORFLOXACIN

Habit Forming

No

Diet & Lifestyle Advise

  • Limit dairy intake such as milk, curd, and cheese as they may trigger skin irritation.
  • Avoid hot showers or hot water to bathe to prevent worsening of the condition.
  • Wash the clothes and bedsheets with soap and hot water or dry clean them after every use.
  • Avoid sharing personal belongings such as combs, towels, razors, clothes, or bedding with others as it may increase the risk of transmission.
  • Do not have close physical contact or sex until the treatment is completed.

Special Advise

  • Avoid contact of Gamma Lotion with eyes. In case of accidental contact, rinse with water thoroughly.
  • Do not apply Gamma Lotion on lots of broken skin, crusted (scabby), or open sores on the skin.
  • Wear gloves that are least permeable to Gamma Lotion such as sheer vinyl, nitrile, or latex with neoprene to avoid Gamma Lotion getting on hands while applying to someone else. Avoid natural latex gloves as they are more permeable to Gamma Lotion and thoroughly wash your hands after application.
  • Do not cover the treated area with unbreathable things like tight or plastic clothes, plastic lining, blankets, or diapers.
  • Avoid contact with other people’s skin after applying Gamma Lotion, and especially you should not touch a baby or small child.
  • Avoid scratching the skin as it may worsen the infection.
  • Avoid direct skin-to-skin contact. Seek medical help if your sexual partner also develops scabies.
  • Avoid using any oil on hair or skin just before or after applying Gamma Lotion as oils may increase the absorption of Gamma Lotion and cause adverse effects. Oils include moisturizers, skin lotions, oil-based conditioners, and hair products.

Disease/Condition Glossary

Scabies: It is a skin condition caused by mites known as Sarcoptes scabiei. It causes an itchy skin rash and is contagious (spreads from one person to another person). These tiny mites crawl under the skin and live on the skin for months laying eggs, and causing severe itching. Scabies spreads easily throughout the body except for the head. Hence, it should be treated quickly. The most commonly seen symptom is an intensely itchy rash that worsens at night. People who live in nursing homes, university halls of residence, or nurseries are at more risk of spreading scabies from person to person due to close contact.

Pediculosis: It is the infection caused by the parasite, Pediculus humanus. It is an ectoparasite and feeds on blood. It infects the hairy parts of the body, such as the scalp and pubic area. In this condition, lice attach to the scalp and lay eggs at the base of the hair. It can be easily transmitted from one person to another through direct contact. The symptom includes intense itching or scratching at the affected area.

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Alcohol

Caution

The interaction of alcohol with Gamma Lotion is unknown. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol while using Gamma Lotion.

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Pregnancy

Unsafe

Gamma Lotion is a Category C pregnancy drug and is considered unsafe for pregnant women due to the increased risk of adverse effects to the unborn baby or fetus.

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Breast Feeding

Unsafe

Gamma Lotion is not recommended for breastfeeding mothers as it may be excreted in breast milk and cause adverse effects in the nursing baby.

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Driving

Safe if prescribed

Gamma Lotion usually does not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.

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Liver

Caution

If you have any concerns regarding the use of Gamma Lotion in patients with liver problems, please consult a doctor.

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Kidney

Caution

If you have any concerns regarding the use of Gamma Lotion in patients with kidney problems, please consult a doctor.

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Children

Caution

Gamma Lotion is not recommended for use in premature babies. Please consult a child specialist before using Gamma Lotion in children.

Other Info - GA22236

Author Details

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FAQs

Gamma Lotion is used to treat scabies (a skin infection caused by mites) and pediculosis (infestation of lice in the hairy parts of the body).
Gamma Lotion is an antiparasitic drug used to treat scabies (a skin infection) and pediculosis (lice infestation). Gamma Lotion kills scabies mites and their eggs by going through the skin. Gamma Lotion is used to treat scabies and pediculosis in patients for whom other medicines did not work or cannot be given other safer medicines.
No, Gamma Lotion is not recommended for patients with uncontrolled fits as it may worsen the condition. Therefore, inform your doctor if you have a history of fits before using Gamma Lotion.
No, Gamma Lotion should not be applied immediately after bathing as warm or wet skin helps Gamma Lotion penetrate through the skin quickly and may increase the risk of fits. Therefore, you are advised to wait for a minimum of 1 hour after taking a shower or bath.
Gamma Lotion does not prevent scabies or reinfestation (recurring scabies). Gamma Lotion kills the mites and is only used in the treatment of scabies that has already started.
Scabies is a contagious skin condition that spreads from one person to another through physical contact. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid close physical contact until the treatment for scabies is completed.
Scabies is a contagious skin condition caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite, which burrows into the skin to lay eggs. It leads to an itchy rash, especially at night. It spreads through close skin contact and can affect anyone. It should be treated quickly to prevent its spread.
Gamma Lotion is not recommended for use in premature babies. It should be used in children only if advised by the doctor. Please consult the doctor if you have any concerns regarding the usage of Gamma Lotion in children.
The side effects of Gamma Lotion include rash, dryness, itching, or burning sensation in the treated area. Consult the doctor if any of these side effects persist or worsen.
No, Gamma Lotion is not available over-the-counter as it is a prescription medication. It should be used only if prescribed by the doctor.
Yes, Gamma Lotion is used to treat scabies and to kill lice, eggs, and nits as it contains an anti-parasitic agent that works by penetrating into the skin and killing them.
Yes, Gamma Lotion is safe if used in the dose and duration prescribed by the doctor.
Gamma Lotion can be left overnight (for 8-12 hours) unless you experience irritation. Rinse off the product next morning.
If you experience severe local irritation, such as intense redness, itching, dryness, or a stinging/burning sensation, discontinue the use of Gamma Lotion and consult the doctor.
Avoid contact of Gamma Lotion with the eyes. If accidental contact occurs, rinse it off thoroughly with plenty of water. Do not use it on large areas of broken skin, crusted (scabby), or open sores. When applying to someone else, wear gloves made of materials that are least permeable to the lotion, such as sheer vinyl, nitrile, or latex with neoprene. Do not use natural latex gloves as they are more permeable, and be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after application. Do not cover the treated area with tight or plastic clothing, plastic linings, blankets, or diapers, as they are unbreathable. After applying Gamma Lotion, avoid contact with other people's skin, especially babies or small children. Avoid scratching the skin as it may worsen the infection, and avoid direct skin-to-skin contact. If your sexual partner develops scabies, seek medical help. Do not use oils including moisturizers, skin lotions, oil-based conditioners, and hair products on the hair or skin before or after applying Gamma Lotion, as oils may increase its absorption and cause adverse effects.
Gamma Lotion should be applied as often as recommended by the doctor. The doctor will determine the frequency of using Gamma Lotion based on your condition being treated.
Gamma Lotion will start working as soon as you apply it. However, it may take a few weeks to show its complete effects.
Do not apply moisturizer, before or after using Gamma Lotion as it may increase its absorption and cause adverse effects. It is advised to wait for an hour after applying Gamma Lotion before applying moisturizer.

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