The medications prescribed to patients with scabies greatly vary in terms of efficiency, level of toxicity to the human body, availability (some scabies drugs are more difficult to find in drugstores) and costs. Common medications used in the treatment of scabies that have proved to be effective in eradicating the mite infestation include names such as permethrin, lindane, malathion and ivermectin. These scabicide medications are not only efficient in killing the parasitic mites, but they are also cost-effective and can be purchased from most pharmacies with a prescription from the dermatologist.

Permethrin is considered to be the most efficient scabies medication at present. Permethrin is available for purchase under the form of creams and gels for external use, is very well tolerated by the human body and has a low toxicity level compared to other scabies medications. Thanks to its low level of toxicity, permethrin is suitable for pregnant women and for patients with increased sensibility to other types of scabies medications. Although permethrin is rapidly absorbed into the skin, only a small quantity of the active ingredients is absorbed into the blood stream, minimizing the risk of retention inside the body. Correct application of permethrin maximizes its efficiency and reduces the risks of side-effects (in rare cases, inappropriate use of permethrin can produce local sensations of stinging and burning, as well as pruritus).

Unless the doctor recommend otherwise, permethrin should only be applied twice, with local applications 5-7 days apart. As in the case of similar scabies medications, the application of permethrin shouldn't be washed off the skin for 12 hours. After this period of time, permethrin should be removed from the surface of the skin using warm water and non-irritant soap. The treatment is best to be applied not only on the skin with affection, but on the entire body skin (the areas between the fingers and toes, the regions of the feet, ankles, knees, elbows, wrists, lower abdomen, genitals, buttocks, armpits, and nipples). In the case of very young patients (infants and babies), elderly patients and patients with immune system deficiencies, the application of permethrin should include the regions of the neck, face, ears and scalp.

Although less efficient than permethrin, malathion also produces satisfactory results and is usually cheaper than other scabies medications. Malathion can be purchased with or without medical prescription and is available under the form of creams and lotions. It is best to look for water-based malathion preparations, as those containing alcohol may temporarily amplify the symptoms of scabies.

Lindane is an effective scabicide medication, but it is also more toxic to the human body, producing a series of side-effects (pruritus, skin blistering, soreness and stinging sensations). Lindane is not recommendable for patients with sensibility to the active agents contained by the medications and for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Ivermectin is one of the most efficient oral scabicide medications, two doses of the medication producing the same effects as a local application of permethrin. This oral medication is suitable for patients who don't respond well to regular medications for local use. However, ivermectin shouldn't be administered to babies and children.