ScabiesPhase 1NCT05862701
Comparison of Topical 5% Permethrin and Topical 10% Sulfur in the Treatment of Scabies
A Phase 1 study testing Permethrin and Sulphur in people with Scabies, run by Combined Military Hospital Abbottabad at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
Sarcoptes scabiei is responsible for a skin infection called scabies. Permethrin is most widely used anti-scabicidel drug and is taken as drug of choice because of its efficacy, safety and patient's compliance. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 100 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Scabies
- What is being tested?
- Permethrin and Sulphur
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 1 Mar 2022to 30 Sep 2022
- Phase
- Phase 1
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 100 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- aged 18 years or above
- diagnosis with scabies mites
Who cannot join
- history of allergy to any drug
- pregnancy
- lactation
- history of severe systemic disorders
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Sarcoptes scabiei is responsible for a skin infection called scabies. Permethrin is most widely used anti-scabicidel drug and is taken as drug of choice because of its efficacy, safety and patient's compliance. Sulfur 6-33%, as cream, ointment or lotion, is recommended by the European guidelines as an effective alternative treatment and is among the oldest treatments used for scabies. It is recommended to be applied for 3 consecutive days.
Both permethrin and sulfur have been shown in previous studies to be superior to other anti-scabietic drugs in terms of efficacy. Two studies showed that permethrin was more efficacious than sulfur, whereas a single study showed otherwise. Therefore, only a few studies are available to find a direct comparison of the efficacy of topical 5% permethrin and topical 10% sulfur in the treatment of scabies and none of them have been carried out in Pakistan. The objective of the study is to compare the efficacy of topical 5% permethrin cream and sulfur 10% ointment in the treatment of scabies.
Read the detailed description
The mite named as Sarcoptes scabiei is responsible for a skin infection called scabies. This parasite is a tiny mite that is commonly not visible without a microscope and is present at stratum corneum level in the skin. It burrows in the patient's skin and causes this contagious infection.
Permethrin is an insecticide that kills the mites and permethrin 5% cream is among the commonly used drugs for scabies. It is most widely used and taken as drug of choice because of its efficacy, safety and patient's compliance. European guidelines for the management of scabies recommend 5% permethrin cream to be applied from head to toe for 8-12 hours before washing it off and treatment to be repeated after 7 to 14 days. Sulfur 6-33%, as cream, ointment or lotion, is recommended by the European guidelines as an effective alternative treatment and is among the oldest treatments used for scabies. It is recommended to be applied for 3 consecutive days. Topical Sulfur 5-10% ointment (precipitated sulfur) is among the safe and cost effective treatment options for scabies. The toxicity of sulfur ointment is low and therefore can be used in pregnancy and in children. Efficacy ratio although not very clear from previous data now shows that it cures scabies especially the type called Norwegian scabies. It is recommended to be applied on whole body for 3 successive days.
A lot of therapeutic options have been used to treat scabies but still there is a need to study those drugs for their efficacy and duration of treatment to eradicate the scabies completely from the patients and their environment. In a study done in 1994, when the use of permethrin was not very common, there were reports of killing the mites within one hour in vitro but in year 2000, it was reported that 35% mites were still alive even after 3 hours. Both permethrin and sulfur have been shown in previous studies to be superior to other anti-scabietic drugs in terms of efficacy. Two studies showed that permethrin was more efficacious than sulfur, whereas a single study showed otherwise.
Therefore, only a few studies are available to find a direct comparison of the efficacy of topical 5% permethrin and topical 10% sulfur in the treatment of scabies and none of them have been carried out in Pakistan. The objective of the study was to compare the efficacy of topical 5% permethrin cream and sulfur 10% ointment in the treatment of scabies. The hypothesis of the study was that there is a significant difference in efficacies of 5% permethrin cream and 10% sulfur ointment in the treatment of scabies. The study will help the dermatologists to develop better drug treatment strategies for their patients, and will also assist in curbing the spread of this disease to the community hence reducing its burden.
- Conditions
- Scabies
- Being tested
- Permethrin, Sulphur
- Keywords
- scabies, permethrin, ointment, therapeutics
- Medical subject headings
- Scabies
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
PermethrinDrug
Also called Lotrix
5% permethrin cream
SulphurDrug
Also called Scabion
10% Sulfur ointment
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Permethrin | Active comparator | Group A treated with application of topical 5% permethrin cream twice with one week interval. Follow-up at 1, 2 and 4 weeks Receives: Drug: Permethrin |
| Sulfur | Active comparator | Group B treated with 10% sulfur ointment for two or three weeks. Follow-up at 1, 2 and 4 weeks Receives: Drug: Sulphur |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Symptomatic Impovement
Efficacy was assessed by clinical improvement of previous lesionss assessed by visual analogue scale
Measured: 4 weeks
No new lesions formation
Efficacy was assessed by absence of new skin lesions assessed by visual analogue scale
Measured: 4 weeks
Absence of Pruritus
Efficacy was assessed by absence of Pruritus assessed by visual analogue scale
Measured: 4 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted17 May 2023
- Study start1 Mar 2022
- Primary completion30 Sep 2022
- Study completion30 Sep 2022
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for ScabiesStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 1
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Combined Military Hospital Abbottabad
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Dr Aleena Nasir, Combined Military Hospital Abbottabad
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05862701
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- CMH Abbottabad Dermatology
- Status last verified
- May 2023
- First submitted
- 28 Mar 2023
- Last updated
- 17 May 2023
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 17 May 2023. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Comparison of Topical 5% Permethrin and Topical 10% Sulfur in the Treatment of Scabies
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05862701
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- CMH Abbottabad Dermatology
- Conditions
- Scabies
- Keywords
- scabies, permethrin, ointment, therapeutics
- Phase
- Phase 1
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Combined Military Hospital AbbottabadUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Mar 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Sep 2022 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 Sep 2022 (actual)
- First posted
- 17 May 2023 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Sarcoptes scabiei is responsible for a skin infection called scabies. Permethrin is most widely used anti-scabicidel drug and is taken as drug of choice because of its efficacy, safety and patient's compliance. Sulfur 6-33%, as cream, ointment or lotion, is recommended by the European guidelines as an effective alternative treatment and is among the oldest treatments used for scabies. It is recommended to be applied for 3 consecutive days.
Both permethrin and sulfur have been shown in previous studies to be superior to other anti-scabietic drugs in terms of efficacy. Two studies showed that permethrin was more efficacious than sulfur, whereas a single study showed otherwise. Therefore, only a few studies are available to find a direct comparison of the efficacy of topical 5% permethrin and topical 10% sulfur in the treatment of scabies and none of them have been carried out in Pakistan. The objective of the study is to compare the efficacy of topical 5% permethrin cream and sulfur 10% ointment in the treatment of scabies.
Detailed description
The mite named as Sarcoptes scabiei is responsible for a skin infection called scabies. This parasite is a tiny mite that is commonly not visible without a microscope and is present at stratum corneum level in the skin. It burrows in the patient's skin and causes this contagious infection.
Permethrin is an insecticide that kills the mites and permethrin 5% cream is among the commonly used drugs for scabies. It is most widely used and taken as drug of choice because of its efficacy, safety and patient's compliance. European guidelines for the management of scabies recommend 5% permethrin cream to be applied from head to toe for 8-12 hours before washing it off and treatment to be repeated after 7 to 14 days. Sulfur 6-33%, as cream, ointment or lotion, is recommended by the European guidelines as an effective alternative treatment and is among the oldest treatments used for scabies. It is recommended to be applied for 3 consecutive days. Topical Sulfur 5-10% ointment (precipitated sulfur) is among the safe and cost effective treatment options for scabies. The toxicity of sulfur ointment is low and therefore can be used in pregnancy and in children. Efficacy ratio although not very clear from previous data now shows that it cures scabies especially the type called Norwegian scabies. It is recommended to be applied on whole body for 3 successive days.
A lot of therapeutic options have been used to treat scabies but still there is a need to study those drugs for their efficacy and duration of treatment to eradicate the scabies completely from the patients and their environment. In a study done in 1994, when the use of permethrin was not very common, there were reports of killing the mites within one hour in vitro but in year 2000, it was reported that 35% mites were still alive even after 3 hours. Both permethrin and sulfur have been shown in previous studies to be superior to other anti-scabietic drugs in terms of efficacy. Two studies showed that permethrin was more efficacious than sulfur, whereas a single study showed otherwise.
Therefore, only a few studies are available to find a direct comparison of the efficacy of topical 5% permethrin and topical 10% sulfur in the treatment of scabies and none of them have been carried out in Pakistan. The objective of the study was to compare the efficacy of topical 5% permethrin cream and sulfur 10% ointment in the treatment of scabies. The hypothesis of the study was that there is a significant difference in efficacies of 5% permethrin cream and 10% sulfur ointment in the treatment of scabies. The study will help the dermatologists to develop better drug treatment strategies for their patients, and will also assist in curbing the spread of this disease to the community hence reducing its burden.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Permethrin | Active comparator | Drug: PermethrinGroup A treated with application of topical 5% permethrin cream twice with one week interval. Follow-up at 1, 2 and 4 weeks |
| Sulfur | Active comparator | Drug: SulphurGroup B treated with 10% sulfur ointment for two or three weeks. Follow-up at 1, 2 and 4 weeks |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 100 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- aged 18 years or above
- diagnosis with scabies mites
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- history of allergy to any drug
- pregnancy
- lactation
- history of severe systemic disorders
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| PermethrinAlso: Lotrix5% permethrin cream | Drug | Permethrin |
| SulphurAlso: Scabion10% Sulfur ointment | Drug | Sulfur |
Primary outcome
Symptomatic Impovement
Time frame: 4 weeks
Efficacy was assessed by clinical improvement of previous lesionss assessed by visual analogue scale
No new lesions formation
Time frame: 4 weeks
Efficacy was assessed by absence of new skin lesions assessed by visual analogue scale
Absence of Pruritus
Time frame: 4 weeks
Efficacy was assessed by absence of Pruritus assessed by visual analogue scale
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 17 May 2023.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 1 study testing Permethrin and Sulphur in people with Scabies, run by Combined Military Hospital Abbottabad at 1 site in Pakistan.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 17 May 2023. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Pakistan. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this phase mean?
Phase 1 studies test a treatment in a small group of people for the first time or in a new way, mainly to check safety and find the right dose.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Symptomatic Impovement (time frame: 4 weeks). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 17 May 2023.