Spinosad: A Newer Anti-Lice Drug.

Head lice infestation is a common and highly contagious condition caused by pediculus humanus capitis. Therapy for head lice infestation has been traditionally combing out the live lice and the unhatched eggs (nits) by a fine toothed comb along with topical chemical treatments. Emergence of resistance to these therapies compromises their effectiveness. As a result, the search for newer agents has been a clinical necessity. Recently, spinosad, a newer anti-lice drug, has been approved by US FDA as 0.9% topical suspension. Spinosad provides a useful alternative for children above 4 years of age suffering from head lice infestation.