Assessment of oral ivermectin versus shampoo in the treatment of pediculosis

A study conducted in two neighbouring villages of Sine-Saloum, Senagal, analysed the effect of using oral Ivermectin and shampoo in the treatment of pediculosis and revealed that whilst oral ivermectin is more highly effective in treating pediculosis compared with shampoo, ivermectin resitance may emerge during treatment.

The study by Leulmi et al., publishedin the December 2016 International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents suggests that at day 15 post treatment, the efficacy of the treatment against head lice among participants using ivermectin had reached a higher rate as compared to participants using shampoo.

The study also suggests that some participants in the ivermectin group exhibited probable ivermectin treatment failure, suggesting the emergence of ivermectin-resistant lice.