An ectoparasiticide is an

antiparasitic Antiparasitics are a class of medications which are indicated for the treatment of parasitic diseases, such as those caused by helminths, amoeba, ectoparasites, parasitic fungi, and protozoa, among others. Antiparasitics target the parasitic age ...

drug used in the treatment of

ectoparasitic infestation An ectoparasitic infestation is a parasitic disease caused by organisms that live primarily on the surface of the host. Examples: * Scabies * Crab louse (pubic lice) * Pediculosis (head lice) * '' Lernaeocera branchialis'' (cod worm) See also * ...

s. These drugs are used to kill the parasites that live on the body surface.

Permethrin Permethrin is a medication and an insecticide. As a medication, it is used to treat scabies and lice. It is applied to the skin as a cream or lotion. As an insecticide, it can be sprayed onto clothing or mosquito nets to kill the insects th ...

, sulfur,

lindane Lindane, also known as ''gamma''-hexachlorocyclohexane (γ-HCH), gammaxene, Gammallin and benzene hexachloride (BHC), is an organochlorine chemical and an isomer of hexachlorocyclohexane that has been used both as an agricultural insecticide and ...

, dicophane,

benzyl benzoate Benzyl benzoate is an organic compound which is used as a medication and insect repellent. As a medication it is used to treat scabies and lice. For scabies either permethrin or malathion is typically preferred. It is applied to the skin as a ...

ivermectin Ivermectin (, '' EYE-vər-MEK-tin'') is an antiparasitic drug. After its discovery in 1975, its first uses were in veterinary medicine to prevent and treat heartworm and acariasis. Approved for human use in 1987, today it is used to treat i ...

and

crotamiton Crotamiton is a drug that is used both as a scabicidal (for treating scabies) and as a general antipruritic (anti-itching drug). It is a prescription, lotion-based medicine that is applied to the whole body to get rid of the scabies parasite that ...

are well known ectoparasiticides.

Permethrin

Broad-spectrum and potent pyrethroid insecticide and is most convenient for both scabies and lice. First choice drug. 100% cure rate. Causes neurological paralysis in insects probably by delaying depolarisation.

Crotamiton

Second choice drug. Effective scabicide, pediculocide and antipruritic. Cure rate 60-88%.

Benzyl benzoate

2nd line drug for scabies and is seldom used for pediculosis. Cure rate 76-100%

Lindane

Effective in treating head lice (67-92%cure) and scabies (84-92% cure) with a single treatment. Penetrates through chitinous covers and affecting the nervous system.

Sulfur

Oldest scabicide and weak pediculocide, antiseptic, fungicide and keratolytic. Applied to skin, it is slowly reduced to H₂S and oxidized to SO₂ and pentathionic acid, which dissolve the cuticle of itch mites and kill it.

Ivermectin

Antihelminthic drug found highly effective in scabies and pediculosis. It is the only orally administered drug used for ectoparasitosis. Acts through a glutamate-gated Cl⁻ ion channel found only in invertebrates.

Dicophan

Insecticide for mosquito, flies and other pests. Penetrates through the exoskeleton and acts as a neurotoxin.

References

Antiparasitic agents {{antiinfective-drug-stub