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Spinosad
Spinosad is used to treat head lice in adults and children who are at least four years old. In clinical studies, this medication was shown to be a much more effective lice treatment than permethrin cream. Some people using this product will develop side effects, such as redness or irritation of the skin at the application site. However, in most cases, it is well tolerated.
Spinosad (Natroba®) is a prescription medication approved for treating head lice. It can be used to treat children as young as four years of age.
(Click What Is Spinosad Used For? for more information on this topic, including possible off-label uses.)
Just like any medicine, spinosad may cause side effects. However, not everyone who uses the drug will experience problems. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well.
If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or are treated easily by you or your healthcare provider. Serious reactions are less common.
The most common side effects seen with spinosad include:
- Skin redness or irritation at the application site
- Eye redness.
(Click Side Effects of Spinosad to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD



