Skip to main navigation Skip to main content Skip to footer For Medicare For Providers For Brokers For Employers Español For Individuals & Families: For Individuals & Families
Shop for Plans

Shop for Plans
Shop for your own coverage
Medical Dental Other Supplemental
Plans through your employer

Learn about the medical, dental, pharmacy, behavioral, and voluntary benefits your employer may offer.

Explore coverage through work
Learn
How to Buy Health Insurance Types of Dental Insurance Open Enrollment vs. Special Enrollment See all topics
Looking for Medicare coverage?
Shop for Medicare plans
Member Guide
Find a Doctor
Medical Dental Other Supplemental Explore coverage through work How to Buy Health Insurance Types of Dental Insurance Open Enrollment vs. Special Enrollment See all topics Shop for Medicare plans Member Guide Find a Doctor Log in to myCigna
Home Knowledge Center Wellness Library malathion topical

malathion topical

Pronunciation: MAL a THYE on TOP i kal

Brand: Ovide

What is the most important information I should know about malathion topical?

What is the most important information I should know about malathion topical?

Use only as directed. Tell your doctor if you use other medicines or have other medical conditions or allergies.

 What is malathion topical?

What is malathion topical?

Malathion is used to treat head lice.

Malathion may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

 What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using malathion topical?

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using malathion topical?

You should not use malathion if you are allergic to it.

Not approved for use by anyone younger than 6 years old. Malathion should not be used in newborns and infants.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

 How should I use malathion topical?

How should I use malathion topical?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Do not take by mouth. Malathion topical is for use only on your scalp.

Read and follow all Instructions for Use. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you need help.

Wash your hands after applying the medication.

Do not wet your hair or scalp before applying malathion. Apply enough lotion to completely soak your scalp, including the back of your head and your neck.

Wash off the medicine right away if it causes severe scalp irritation. Reapply at a later time, and call your doctor if irritation occurs again.

Do not use a curling iron, hair dryer, or other heat styler on treated hair. Warn children to stay away from open flames, lighted cigarettes, and electric heat sources while the hair is wet.

Shampoo your hair after 8 to 12 hours. Rinse hair thoroughly. Use a nit comb to remove lice eggs from the hair. Rinse the nit comb often during use.

Do not allow a child to use this medicine without help from an adult.

Wash all clothing, hats, bed clothes, bed linens, and towels in hot water and dry in high heat. Dry-clean any non-washable clothing. Hair brushes, combs, and hair accessories should be soaked in hot water.

Use this medicine again if you still see lice after 7 to 9 days.

Malathion lotion is flammable. Do not use near high heat or open flame. Do not smoke while applying this medicine. Avoid being near a lighted cigarette while your hair is still wet with malathion.

Store malathion at room temperature away from high heat, open flame, or electric heat sources.

 What happens if I miss a dose?

What happens if I miss a dose?

Malathion is used as a single dose and does not have a daily dosing schedule. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after using this medicine.

 What happens if I overdose?

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 if anyone has accidentally swallowed this medicine.

 What should I avoid while using malathion topical?

What should I avoid while using malathion topical?

Avoid getting this medicine in your eyes or on any skin other than your scalp. Rinse with water if this happens. Call your doctor at once if you have severe stinging, itching, or irritation of the eyes or skin after rinsing.

To prevent spreading lice, avoid head to head contact with others until your lice infection has cleared up. Avoid sharing hair brushes, combs, hair accessories, hats, scarves, and pillows. Lice infections are highly contagious.

 What are the possible side effects of malathion topical?

What are the possible side effects of malathion topical?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have severe stinging, burning, or irritation of your scalp that will not go away.

Less serious side effects may include mild stinging or scalp irritation.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

 What other drugs will affect malathion topical?

What other drugs will affect malathion topical?

Medicine used on the skin is not likely to be affected by other drugs you use, but many drugs can interact. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

 Where can I get more information?

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about malathion.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

<cipublic-spinner variant="large"><span>Loading…</span></cipublic-spinner>

Page Footer

I want to...

Get an ID card File a claim View my claims and EOBs Check coverage under my plan See prescription drug list Find an in-network doctor, dentist, or facility Find a form Find 1095-B tax form information View the Cigna Glossary Contact Cigna

Audiences

Individuals and Families Medicare Employers Brokers Providers

Secure Member Sites

myCigna member portal Health Care Provider portal Cigna for Employers Client Resource Portal Cigna for Brokers

The Cigna Group Information

About The Cigna Group Company Profile Careers Newsroom Investors Suppliers The Cigna Group Third Party Administrators International Evernorth

 Cigna. All rights reserved.

Privacy Legal Product Disclosures Cigna Company Names Customer Rights Accessibility Non-Discrimination Notice Language Assistance [PDF] Report Fraud Sitemap Cookie Settings

Disclaimer

Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of South Carolina, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of Texas, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Accidental Injury, Critical Illness, and Hospital Care plans or insurance policies are distributed exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, are administered by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, and are insured by either (i) Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT); (ii) Life Insurance Company of North America (“LINA”) (Philadelphia, PA); or (iii) New York Life Group Insurance Company of NY (“NYLGICNY”) (New York, NY), formerly known as Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. The Cigna name, logo, and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. LINA and NYLGICNY are not affiliates of Cigna.

All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.

Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna website. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites. Details