Hifex

Uses

Benzyl alcohol lotion is used for the topical treatment of head lice infestation in patients 6 months of age and older. Benzyl alcohol Lotion does not have ovicidal activity.

Methyl salicylate is a topical counter-irritant used for the symptomatic relief of acute musculoskeletal pain in the muscles, joints, and tendons.

Ointments or liniments containing methyl salicylate are applied topically as counter irritant for relief of acute pain associated with lumbago,sciatica and rheumatic conditions. Local analgesics for human and veterinary medicine.

Hifex is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Cold Sore, Fever blister, Head Lice Infestation, Insect Bites, Orofacial Pain, Skin Irritation, Sunburn, Abrasions, Minor burns, Superficial WoundsAcute Muscle Pain, Arthritis, Back Pain Lower Back, Backache, Contusions, Joint Pain, Ligament pain, Muscle Inflammation, Muscle Injuries, Muscle Strain, Muscle swelling, Pain, Pain of the Bone and Bones, Pain, Nerve, Partial-Onset Seizures, Postherpetic Neuralgia, Soreness, Muscle, Sprains, Tendon pain, Minor aches, Muscle, joint pains

How Hifex works

Benzyl alcohol inhibits lice from closing their respiratory spiracles, allowing the vehicle to obstruct the spiracles and causing the lice to asphyxiate.

Counter-irritation is thought to be effective at alleviating musculoskeletal pain as the irritation of the sensory nerve endings is thought to alter or offset pain in the underlying muscle or joints that are served by the same nerves . This is thought to mask the underlying musculoskeletal pain and discomfort. When applied topically, methyl salicylate is thought to penetrate the skin and underlying tissues where it reversibly inhibits cyclooxygenase enzyme and locally and peripherally prevents the production of inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandin and thromboxane A2.

Dosage

Hifex dosage

Adult:Apply lotion to dry hair, using enough to completely saturate hair & scalp, rinse off with water after 10 minutes. Repeat treatment in 7 days.

Amount of Lotion Needed to Cover Scalp and Hair Completely

• Hair length 0-2 inches: 4-6 ounces
• Hair length 2-4 inches: 6-8 ounces
• Hair length 4-8 inches: 8-12 ounces
• Hair length 8-16 inches: 12-24 ounces
• Hair length 16-22 inches: 24-32 ounces
• Hair length >22 inches: 32-48 ounces

Child:

• <6 months: Do not use
• >6 months: Apply lotion to dry hair, using enough to completely saturate hair & scalp, rinse off with water after 10 minutes; repeat treatment in 7 days

Side Effects

Generally well tolerated. However, a few allergic reactions may be seen. Irritation, itching, redness, tingling, or numbness at the application site may occur. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

Toxicity

1250 mg/kg (rat, oral) LD50 400 mg/kg IPR-RAT LD50 2000 mg/kg SKN-RBT LD50 53 mg/kg IVN-RAT LD50 2500 mg/kg ORL-GPG LD50

Oral LD50 values (mg/kg) for mouse, rat and rabbit are 1110, 887 and 1300, respectively. Oral LD50 values for child and adult human (mg/kg) are 228 and 506, respectively. Although systemic toxicity from topical administration is rare, methyl salicylate can be absorbed in intract skin to cause stimulation of the central nervous system respiratory center, disturbance of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, and disturbance of intracellular respiration. Severe toxicity can result in acute lung injury, lethargy, coma, seizures, cerebral edema, and death. In case of salicylate poisoning, the treatment consists of general supportive care, gastrointestinal decontamination with activated charcoal in cases of salicylate ingestion, and monitoring of serum salicylate concentrations. Bicarbonate infusions or hemodialysis can be used to achieve enhanced salicylate elimination .

Precaution

Constant or forceful scratching of the skin/scalp may lead to a bacterial skin infection.

Interaction

No formal drug interaction studies to date.

Volume of Distribution

After absorption, methyl salicylate is distributed throughout most body tissues and most transcellular fluids, primarily by pH dependent passive processes. Salicylate is actively transported by a low-capacity, saturable system out of the CSF across the choroid plexus. The drug readily crosses the placental barrier.

Elimination Route

Approximately 12-20% of topically applied methyl salicylate may be systemically absorbed through intact skin within 10 hours of application, and absorption varies with different conditions such as surface area and pH. Dermal bioavailability is in the range of 11.8 – 30.7%. For the assessment of potential oral exposure to salicylates, bioavailability is assumed to be 100% .

Half Life

The plasma half-life for salicylate is 2 to 3 hr in low doses and about 12 hr at usual anti-inflammatory doses. The half-life of salicylate may be as long as 15 to 30 hr at high therapeutic doses or when there is intoxication.

Elimination Route

Excreted by kidneys as free salicylic acid (10%), salicyluric acid (75%), salicylic phenolic (10%) and acyl glucuronide (5%), and gentisic acid (less than 1%).

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

Pregnancy Category B. Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women OR Animal studies have shown an adverse effect, but adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in any trimester.

Lactation: Excretion in milk unknown; use with caution

Contraindication

Hypersensitivity to any of the active ingredients.

Innovators Monograph

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