WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

Deena Al-Samman*, Raghad Ibrahim and Mohammed Attarbashi

ABSTRACT

Background: Scabies is significant global health problem. Various theraputic options have been existed but the ideal treatment modalities is ongoing. Objectives: To assess oral ivermectin efficacy versus concomitant oral ivermectin with topical permethrin with the aim of determination suitable regimen for scabies. The diagnosis was established by dermatologist at Al-Quds Health Center in Mosul city. In total, 220 patients were allocated into two groups. Group I received oral ivermectin, two doses of 200 µg/kg separated by 1 week. Group II applied permethrin 5% cream overnight, repeated after 1 week in addition to 2 doses ivermectin. Patients were seen 2 and 4 weeks interval. Results: At second week, 75% of the patients in group I and 88% in group II achieved a significant improvement in pruritus as compared to baseline (P< 0.05). The improvement in severity score was significantly greater in group II than group I (P < 0.05). At 4 weeks, the overall cure rate was 82% in group I and 90% in group II (no significant different). Though permethrin showed somewhat more effective, both ivermectin and permethrin were well tolerated and no major side effects were demonstrated. Conclusion: The concomitant ivermectin orally and topical permethrin represents a useful alternative with higher cure rate than single therapy. Both medications are almost similarly effective but permethrin shows rapid onset of action. Oral ivermectin is a magic remedy in epidemics and large scale. Treatment of all close contacts simultaneously and personal hygiene can control spreading of scabies.