Nix

Purpose of Nix

Nix shampoo is an over-the-counter medication used to treat head lice.

Active Ingredients

permethrin 280 mg in each fluid ounce (1%)

Inactive Ingredients

balsam canada, cetyl alcohol, citric acid, FD&C yellow no. 6, fragrance, hydrolyzed animal protein, hydroxyethylcellulose, polyoxyethylene 10 cetyl ether, propylene glycol, stearalkonium chloride, water, isopropyl alcohol 5.6 g (20%), methylparaben 56 mg (0.2%), and propylparaben 22 mg (0.08%)

 

 

Nix FDA Warning

For external use only.

Do not use:

  • on children under 2 months of age
  • near the eyes
  • inside the nose, ear, mouth, or vagina
  • on lice in eyebrows or eyelashes

Ask a doctor before use if you are allergic to ragweed. May cause breathing difficulty or an asthmatic episode.

When using this product:

  • keep eyes tightly closed and protect eyes with a washcloth or towel
  • if product gets into the eyes, immediately flush with large amounts of water
  • scalp itching or redness may occur

Stop use and see a doctor if:

  • breathing difficulty occurs
  • eye irritation occurs
  • skin or scalp irritation continues or infection occurs

If pregnant or breastfeeding, ask a health professional before use.

Keep out of reach of children.

If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away (1-800-222-1222).

Directions

Inspect:

  • all household members should be checked by another person for lice and/or nits (eggs)
  • use a magnifying glass in bright light to help you see the lice and nits (eggs)
  • use a tool, such as a comb or two unsharpened pencils to lift and part the hair
  • look for tiny nits near the scalp, beginning at the back of the neck and behind the ears
  • small sections of hair (1-2 inches wide) should be examined at a time
  • unlike dandruff, nits stick to the hair. Dandruff should move when lightly touched.
  • if either lice or nits (eggs) are found, treat with Nix Creme Rinse

Treat:

  • wash hair with a shampoo without conditioner. Do not use a shampoo that contains a conditioner or a conditioner alone since this may decrease the activity of Nix. Rinse with water.
  • towel dry hair so it is damp but not wet
  • shake the bottle of Nix well
  • completely saturate the hair and scalp with Nix. Begin to apply Nix behind the ears and at the back of the neck.
  • keep Nix out of the eyes. Protect the eyes with a washcloth or towel.
  • leave Nix on the hair for 10 minutes, but no longer
  • rinse with warm water
  • towel dry hair and comb out tangles
  • if live lice are seen seven days or more after the first treatment, a second treatment should be given

Remove Lice/Nits:

  • remove nits by combing the hair with the special small tooth comb provided. Remaining nits may be removed by hand (using a throw-away glove), or cutting the nits out.
  • use the nit comb provided and make sure the hair remains slightly damp while removing nits
  • if the hair dries during combing, dampen it slightly with water
  • part the hair into 4 sections. Work on one section at a time. Longer hair may take more time (1-2 hours).
  • start at the top of the head on the section you have picked
  • with one hand, lift a 1-2 inch wide strand of hair. Get the teeth of the comb as close to the scalp as possible and comb with a firm, even motion away from the scalp to the end of the hair.
  • use clips to pin back each strand of hair after you have combed out the nits
  • clean the comb completely as you go. Wipe the nits from the comb with a tissue and throw away the tissue in a sealed plastic bag to prevent the lice from coming back.
  • after combing, recheck the entire head for nits and repeat combing if necessary
  • check the affected head daily to remove any nits that you might have missed

Pediatric Use

Safe to use for children as young as 2 months of age.

Other Information About Nix

  • Read all the directions in the Consumer Information Insert and warnings before use. Keep the carton. It contains important information.
  • Store at room temperature between 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F).