Permethrin 5% w/w: uses, price & cheaper substitutes
Common uses: Scabies – the itchy mite infestation that spreads in families, hostels and crowded housing; Pubic (crab) lice in adults.
Listed MRPs range from ₹0.75 to ₹1.97 per g across 7 listings.
Price comparison
| Brand | Manufacturer | Pack | MRP | ₹ / g | As on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permethrin Cream 5% w/wJan Aushadhi | Jan Aushadhi (PMBJP) | 30 g | ₹22.50 | ₹0.75 | 19 October 2026 |
| Scabper Lotion | A. Menarini India Pvt Ltd | 60 g | ₹62.34 | ₹1.04 | 19 October 2026 |
| Paarmeth 5% Cream | Finecure Pharmaceuticals Ltd. | 30 g | ₹45.83 | ₹1.53 | 19 October 2026 |
| Nomite Cream | Adips Laboratories Ltd | 30 g | ₹56.06 | ₹1.87 | 19 October 2026 |
| Klmite Cream | KLM Laboratories Pvt Ltd | 60 g | ₹116.44 | ₹1.94 | 19 October 2026 |
| Pernil 5% Cream | Talent India | 30 g | ₹59.22 | ₹1.97 | 19 October 2026 |
| Scrabic Cream | Leeford Healthcare Ltd | 30 g | ₹59.00 | ₹1.97 | 19 October 2026 |
MRPs as printed/listed on the date shown; actual price may vary.
Uses
- Scabies – the itchy mite infestation that spreads in families, hostels and crowded housing.
- Pubic (crab) lice in adults.
- Treating all close contacts of a scabies patient at the same time, even if they have no itch yet.
How to take it
Apply the 5% cream to cool, dry skin over the whole body from the neck down – including between the fingers and toes, wrists, armpits, under the nails, genitals and buttocks; in children under 2 and adults over 65 also treat the scalp, face and ears, avoiding the eyes and mouth. An adult needs about one 30 g tube for a full application. Leave it on for 8 to 12 hours (overnight is easiest), then wash off thoroughly. Reapply to hands after washing them during the treatment period. Wash bedding, towels and clothes in hot water the next morning. Treat everyone in the household on the same day. A second application 7 to 14 days later is often advised. Itching can continue for up to 4 weeks after successful treatment – this does not mean it failed.
Side effects
Common
- Burning, stinging or tingling after applying.
- Itching, redness, dry skin.
- Mild rash.
Serious
Stop and get medical help urgently if you notice any of these.
- Severe allergic reaction – swelling of the face, difficulty breathing.
- Worsening redness, oozing or crusting (secondary infection needing antibiotics).
- Persistent new burrows after 2 weeks – possible treatment failure or re-infestation; see a doctor.
Safety information
Alcohol
No interaction.
Pregnancy
Very little is absorbed through the skin. It is used in pregnancy and breastfeeding when needed; wipe it off the nipples before feeding.
Kidney problems
Not relevant – minimal absorption.
Liver problems
Not relevant – minimal absorption.
Children
Can be used from 2 months of age under medical supervision, with the amount reduced by age (about a quarter tube under 5 years, half a tube for 6 to 12 years).
Missed dose
If you forgot the second application, do it as soon as you remember. If you washed the cream off early, reapply and leave it on for the full 8 to 12 hours.
Interactions
- No interactions with tablets or other medicines.
- Steroid creams – ask your doctor; they can mask the itch without treating the mite.
- Other scabies treatments (benzyl benzoate, ivermectin tablets) – sometimes combined in severe cases under a dermatologist, not on your own.
- Antihistamine tablets (cetirizine) and moisturisers can be used for the itch after treatment.
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply Pernil 5% cream for scabies?
Cover the whole body from the neck down on cool, dry skin, including between fingers and toes, wrists, armpits, genitals and under the nails. Leave it on for 8 to 12 hours, usually overnight, then wash off. Everyone in the house should be treated on the same day.
Why am I still itching after permethrin?
Itching can continue for up to 4 weeks after the mites are dead because of the skin's reaction to them. New burrows or spreading rash after 2 weeks, however, suggest treatment failure or re-infection – see a doctor.
Do I need a second application of Scabper?
Many doctors advise a second application 7 to 14 days after the first to kill any mites that hatched from eggs. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Can permethrin cream be used on babies?
Yes, from 2 months of age under a doctor's supervision, using a smaller amount and including the scalp, face and ears while avoiding the eyes and mouth.
Is permethrin safe in pregnancy?
Yes. Very little is absorbed through the skin and it is the preferred scabies treatment in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Should the whole family use permethrin if only one person has scabies?
Yes. Scabies spreads by close contact and others may be infested without itching yet. Treating everyone on the same day prevents passing it back and forth.
Do I need to wash clothes and bedsheets after using permethrin?
Yes. Wash bedding, towels and clothes worn in the last 3 days in hot water and dry in the sun. Items that cannot be washed can be sealed in a plastic bag for a week.
Do I need a prescription for permethrin 5% cream?
It is widely sold over the counter in India, but a doctor should confirm the diagnosis, because eczema, allergies and fungal infections can look similar.
Sources
- eMC – Permethrin 5% w/w Cream SmPC (19 October 2026)
- NPPA Pharma Sahi Daam (ceiling prices) (19 October 2026)
- PMBI Jan Aushadhi Product & MRP List (19 October 2026)
Medyzen Editorial Team · Last updated
This page is general information, not medical advice. Do not start, stop or change a medicine without asking a doctor or pharmacist. Terms