Topical pediculicide (silicone-based)
Dimeticone
Brand names: Hedrin, Lyclear, Full Marks Solution
Adult dose
Dose: 4% lotion: apply to dry hair, leave 8h or overnight; comb wet; repeat after 7 days
Route: Topical
Frequency: Two applications, 7 days apart
Clinical pearls
- NICE CKS Head Lice: dimeticone or wet-combing first-line (avoids resistance compared with neurotoxic insecticides)
- Two applications 7 days apart to catch newly hatched lice
- Mechanical action — coats and suffocates lice
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity
Side effects
- Local irritation
- Transient hair greasiness
- Eye irritation if accidental contact
- Fire risk (alcohol-based formulations)
Monitoring
- Detection by combing (7 days post-treatment)
Reference: BNF; NICE CKS Head Lice; PHE/UKHSA head lice guidance; https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/dimeticone/. Verify against your local formulary and the latest BNF before prescribing.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Calculators
- HE-MACS (History and ECG-Based Manchester ACS Risk Score) · ACS Risk Stratification
- FOUR Score (Full Outline of UnResponsiveness) · Consciousness
- Weight-Based Levothyroxine Dose Calculator · Thyroid
- Number Needed to Treat (NNT) / Number Needed to Harm (NNH) · Evidence-Based Medicine
- HIV Opportunistic Infection Risk (CD4-Based) · HIV / Immunodeficiency
- FOUR Score (Full Outline of UnResponsiveness) · Neurological Assessment
Pathways
- Suspicious Pigmented Lesion — Melanoma Pathway · NICE NG14 2015 / BAD
- Cellulitis and Erysipelas · NICE NG141 2019 / CREST
- Psoriasis — Severity Assessment and Step-Up Therapy · NICE NG153 2019 / BAD
- Atopic Eczema — Assessment and Step-Up Therapy · NICE NG95 2023
- Urticaria and Angioedema · BSACI / EAACI Guidelines 2022
- Acne Vulgaris — Grading and Treatment · NICE NG198 2021 / BAD