Gammaxene
Gammaxene Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Food Interaction and all others data.
An organochlorine insecticide that has been used as a pediculicide and a scabicide. Gammaxene has been banned in California, United Kingdom, Australia, and many western countries due to concerns about neurotoxicity and adverse effects on the environment. In Canada, Gammaxene is not recommmended as a first-line therapy due to reports of resistance, neurotoxicity, and bone marrow suppression, but has been approved by the FDA as a second-line therapy for topical treatment of pediculosis capitis (head lice), pediculosis pubis (pubic lice), or scabies in patients greater than two years of age who cannot tolerate or have failed first-line treatment. Gammaxene is still allowed for pharmaceutical use until 2015.
Scabies is a common, highly pruritic infestation of the skin caused by Sarcoptes scabiei (lice). It is a very contagious condition with specific lesions, such as burrows, and nonspecific lesions, such as papules, vesicles and excoriations. The typical areas of the body it affects are finger webs, scalp (hair), wrists, axillary folds, abdomen, buttocks, inframammary folds and genitalia (males). It is characterized by intense night-time itching. Scabies is spread through close personal contact (relatives, sexual partners, schoolchildren, chronically ill patients and crowded communities). Scabies infestations and the corresponding symptoms can be eliminated by killing the scabies with topical insecticides or scabicides. Gammaxene is a scabicide that is essentially an organochloride insecticide.
| Trade Name | Gammaxene |
| Generic | Lindane |
| Lindane Other Names | Benzene hexachloride, gamma-benzene hexachloride, gamma-BHC, gamma-HCH, gamma-Hexachlorocyclohexane, gamma-Lindane, Gammallin, Gammaxene, Lindan, Lindane, Lindano, Lindanum |
| Type | |
| Formula | C6H6Cl6 |
| Weight | Average: 290.83 Monoisotopic: 287.860066434 |
| Protein binding | 91% |
| Groups | Approved, Withdrawn |
| Therapeutic Class | |
| Manufacturer | |
| Available Country | |
| Last Updated: | September 19, 2023 at 7:00 am |
Uses
Gammaxene is an ectoparasiticide and ovicide used in the treatment of Pediculosis humanis capitis (head lice) and Phthirus pubis (crab lice).
For the treatment of patients infested with Sarcoptes scabiei or pediculosis capitis who have either failed to respond to adequate doses, or are intolerant of other approved therapies.
Gammaxene is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Lice, Pediculosis Capitis, Scabies, Crab lice
How Gammaxene works
Gammaxene is an organochloride insecticide that has similar neurotoxic protperties to DDT. It exerts its parasiticidal action by being directly absorbed through the parasite's exoskeleton (primarily lice, or scabies) and their ova. The gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA(1)) receptor/chloride ionophore complex is the primary site of action for lindane, and other insecticides such as endosulfan, and fipronil. Blockage of the GABA-gated chloride channel reduces neuronal inhibition, which leads to hyperexcitation of the central nervous system. This results in paralysis, convulsions, and death. Gammaxene has very low ovicidal activity.
Toxicity
Gammaxene is a moderately toxic compound via oral exposure, with a reported oral LD50 of 88 to 190 mg/kg in rats. Gamma-HCH (which constitutes 99% of lindane) is generally considered to be the most acutely toxic of the isomers following single administration. It is moderately toxic via the dermal route as well, with reported dermal LD50 values of 500 to 1000 mg/kg in rats, 300 mg/kg in mice, 400 mg/kg in guinea pigs, and 300 mg/kg in rabbits. Acute exposure to lindane may lead to central nervous system stimulation (usually developing within 1 hour), mental/motor impairment, excitation, clonic (intermittent) and tonic (continuous) convulsion. Other adverse reactions include central nervous system toxicity, as well as skin and gastrointestinal changes.
Food Interaction
- Avoid excessive or chronic alcohol consumption.
Elimination Route
Gammaxene is absorbed significantly through the skin. A mean peak blood concentration of 28 nanograms per mL occurred in infants and children 6 hours after total body application of lindane lotion for scabies.
Half Life
18 hours
Innovators Monograph
You find simplified version here Gammaxene
