Topical antipruritic / scabicide

Crotamiton

Brand names: Eurax

Crotamiton is a topical agent used to relieve pruritus and as an adjunct in the management of scabies.

Dosing — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Clinical monograph

How it works

It has antipruritic and reputed scabicidal properties, though the precise mechanism by which it relieves itch and acts on the mite is not fully established.

Prescribing in practice

For external use only; avoid application to acutely inflamed or broken skin, near the eyes and on mucous membranes.
It is generally regarded as a less effective scabicide than first-line treatments and is often used mainly for symptomatic itch relief.
Itch may persist for a period after successful scabies eradication, which does not by itself indicate treatment failure.

Monitoring

Monitoring is clinical, based on relief of itching and any local skin irritation.

Counselling the patient

Apply to intact skin and avoid contact with the eyes, mouth and broken areas.
Itching can continue for some time after scabies has been treated and does not necessarily mean the treatment has failed.
Stop and seek advice if a rash or marked irritation develops.

Evidence & guidelines

Crotamiton is recognised in current prescribing references as an antipruritic and adjunctive scabies treatment rather than a first-line scabicide.

Reference: Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Pathways