Malathion Coupons & Prices

Looking for a malathion coupon? Malathion 0.5% lotion is a prescription topical treatment for head lice, and it is available as a generic (the Ovide brand is no longer marketed in the U.S., but generic malathion lotion from Taro is still available). Cash prices for the same bottle can differ a lot from one pharmacy to the next, so it pays to compare before you fill. Rx.com compares prices at more than 60,000 pharmacies and gives you a free coupon you can show at the counter. Enter your ZIP code above to see today's price near you.

What is malathion lotion and how does it work?

Malathion is a topical pediculicide, which simply means a medicine applied to the hair and scalp to kill head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis). It belongs to a chemical family called organophosphates and works as a cholinesterase inhibitor, disrupting the nervous system of the lice. Malathion 0.5% lotion is FDA-approved for patients infected with head lice and their eggs (ova) of the scalp hair, and it is intended for patients 6 years of age and older. The CDC describes malathion as pediculicidal (it kills live lice) and partially ovicidal (it kills some, but not all, of the eggs), so combing the nits out after treatment is still part of the job.

Malathion lotion is applied to dry hair, left on for 8 to 12 hours, and then washed out with shampoo, followed by combing with a fine-toothed nit comb to remove dead lice and remaining eggs. A second application may be used 7 to 9 days later if live lice are still present, so it is important to re-check the scalp rather than assume one treatment finished the job. Because malathion is a prescription product, your doctor or nurse practitioner decides whether it is the right choice for you. It is often used as a second-line option when over-the-counter permethrin or pyrethrin products have failed because of lice resistance. This page is general information, not medical advice.

Malathion cost without insurance, and how coupons help

Malathion 0.5% lotion is available as a generic, but generic does not automatically mean cheap, and pharmacy cash prices for the same bottle are not standardized. Two pharmacies a few blocks apart can quote very different prices for the identical product, because each pharmacy sets its own cash price. That is why comparing is worth the two minutes it takes, especially if you are paying without insurance or if your plan does not cover lice treatments.

A malathion coupon from Rx.com is free to use and works like a cash-discount card: you show it at the pharmacy counter and pay the discounted cash price instead of the pharmacy's regular retail price. You do not need insurance, and there is no membership fee. If you do have insurance, you can still compare, because a coupon price is sometimes lower than a plan copay. Enter your ZIP code above to see today's malathion prices near you, then take the coupon to whichever pharmacy works best for you. There is no manufacturer savings card for generic malathion lotion.

Malathion vs. other head lice treatments

Several other medicines treat head lice, and they differ in age limits, prescription versus over-the-counter status, and how well they work against resistant lice:

• Permethrin is the most familiar option. The 1% cream rinse is sold over the counter and is usually tried first, though lice resistance to it is common in many parts of the U.S. Malathion is frequently used when permethrin has not worked.
• Spinosad topical suspension is a prescription lice treatment that generally does not require nit combing.
• Topical ivermectin 0.5% lotion (Sklice) is a single-application option that is now sold over the counter. It is a different product from oral ivermectin tablets, which are not FDA-approved for head lice.

Compared with products that have little effect on eggs, malathion has the advantage of being partially ovicidal, meaning it kills some of the eggs in addition to the live lice. That is not the same as clearing every nit, so combing and the 7-to-9-day re-check still matter. Its main drawbacks are the long 8-to-12-hour application time, its strong odor, and the fact that the alcohol-based lotion is highly flammable. Which treatment is best depends on the patient's age, prior treatments, and local resistance patterns, so ask your provider or pharmacist rather than switching products on your own.

Safety, side effects, and the flammability warning

Malathion lotion has no boxed warning, but it does carry one warning that matters more than any other: the lotion is alcohol-based and highly flammable. Do not smoke while applying it, and keep the lotion and wet, treated hair away from open flames, hair dryers, curling irons, flat irons, and any other electric heat source until the hair is completely dry. Never use a hair dryer to speed up drying.

Malathion lotion is intended for patients 6 years of age and older; safety and effectiveness in children younger than 6 have not been established, so using it in a younger child is off-label and a decision only a prescriber can make. On top of that age limit, it is absolutely contraindicated in newborns and infants, whose scalps are more permeable and absorb more of the drug, and MedlinePlus tells patients it should not be used in children under 2 years old at all.

Malathion is for external use on the scalp only. Do not swallow it and avoid getting it in the eyes; if it does contact the eyes, flush them with water. Because malathion is an organophosphate cholinesterase inhibitor, swallowing it or a large overexposure can cause difficulty breathing, muscle twitching, heavy sweating or drooling, and a slow heartbeat, which is a medical emergency, so call for help right away. The usual side effects are local: scalp or skin irritation, stinging, and occasionally chemical burns or contact dermatitis. Use it only on the person it was prescribed for, and wash bedding, clothing, and hats in hot water. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your specific situation.