Permethrin Coupons & Prices

Looking for a permethrin coupon? Permethrin is an inexpensive generic medicine, but the cash price for the prescription 5% cream (sold under the brand names Elimite and Acticin) can still vary a lot from one pharmacy to the next. Rx.com compares prices across more than 60,000 U.S. pharmacies so you can find a low price near you and show a free discount coupon at the counter. Enter your ZIP above to see today's price for permethrin in your area.

What is permethrin and how does it work?

Permethrin is a topical pyrethroid medicine that kills parasites on the skin (an ectoparasiticide). Prescription permethrin 5% cream (Elimite, Acticin) is FDA-approved to treat scabies, an itchy skin infestation caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei. It works by paralyzing and killing the mites and their eggs, and a single correct application is generally curative. A lower-strength permethrin 1% lotion or cream rinse (Nix) is sold over the counter to treat head lice and their eggs.

Permethrin is for external topical use only. It is applied to the skin, left on for the recommended time, and then washed off. It is not taken by mouth.

Permethrin cost and savings without insurance

Permethrin is a generic drug, so it is already one of the more affordable scabies and lice treatments. Even so, cash prices swing widely depending on which pharmacy you use, so it pays to compare before you fill. There is no manufacturer copay or savings card for generic permethrin, but a free Rx.com discount coupon can lower the cash price whether or not you have insurance.

If you are paying out of pocket, comparing pharmacies is the single best way to save. Enter your ZIP above to see today's permethrin price near you and print or show the coupon at the pharmacy. The over-the-counter 1% product for lice (Nix) is bought off the shelf and does not need a prescription.

Permethrin vs. other scabies and lice treatments

Permethrin 5% cream is usually the first-choice treatment for scabies, but your provider may consider other options depending on your situation, age, or response to treatment. Related medicines include:

• ivermectin — an oral option sometimes used for scabies, especially in outbreaks or when a topical cream is hard to apply
• crotamiton — a topical scabicide that also helps relieve itching
• malathion — a topical lotion used for head lice
• lindane — an older second-line topical treatment reserved for people who cannot use or did not respond to other therapies

Your provider or pharmacist can help you choose the right one. Use the links above to compare prices on each, since costs can differ from pharmacy to pharmacy.

Safety and side effects

Permethrin has no boxed warning. It is for external use only, so keep it away from your eyes, mouth, nose, and other mucous membranes. The most common effects are temporary and happen where the cream is applied: burning, stinging, itching, tingling, or redness. It is normal for itching to briefly worsen after treatment as the mites die off, and that does not mean the treatment failed. The 5% cream should not be used on infants under 2 months old.

Do not use permethrin if you are allergic to permethrin, to other pyrethroids or pyrethrins, or to chrysanthemums. Wash the cream off after the recommended time (usually 8 to 14 hours). This information is not medical advice; talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether permethrin is right for you and how to use it correctly.