BENZAL 25% LOTION 100ML

Indications

Approved Uses

Scabies and pediculosis (lice infestation).

Dosage & Administration

Dosing by Condition

Apply 25% lotion to the entire body (neck down; include folds and under nails); for children <2 years or elderly include scalp/face avoiding eyes/mouth. Leave on 24 hours (or 3 days daily in some protocols) then wash off; repeat after 1 week if needed. Treat contacts and decontaminate fomites.

Initial Dose

Apply a thin layer to the entire body surface from neck downward (for scabies) or to affected area (for lice)

Maintenance Dose

A second application may be repeated after 24 hours or within 5-7 days.

Maximum Dose

Typical maximum is 2 full-body applications per treatment course (often 24 hours apart, then wash off), with a repeat course after 7 days if needed; do not exceed without clinician direction.

Children's Dosage

Children 2-12 years: Dilute 1:1 with water to obtain 12.5% concentration before application; not recommended under 2 years of age

Dose Adjustment Notes

Children and patients with sensitive skin may require dilution (commonly to 12.5% by mixing 1:1 with water) to reduce irritation; avoid use in very young infants unless specifically directed, and use caution on inflamed/broken skin.

How to Take

Shake well. Apply to clean, dry skin. For scabies: apply to the whole body from the neck down (include skin folds, between fingers/toes, under nails); in infants/young children and elderly, also apply to scalp/face avoiding eyes and mouth. Leave on for 24 hours then wash off thoroughly; reapply to hands if washed during the contact period. Avoid eyes, mucous membranes, and broken/irritated skin; wash hands after application (or wear gloves when applying to others).

How to Prepare

Dilution may be required for children depending on age/local labeling (commonly dilution to ~12.5% for younger children); follow the product leaflet/local guideline for age-specific dilution and application.

Side Effects

Common Side Effects

Local skin irritation (burning/stinging), erythema/redness, pruritus (may persist transiently after treatment), and contact dermatitis.

Side Effect Frequency

Most common: local skin irritation (burning/stinging, erythema, pruritus); allergic/contact dermatitis is uncommon/rare; systemic toxicity is rare and mainly associated with excessive use or application to broken skin/large areas.

Safety & Warnings

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to benzyl benzoate or any excipient; avoid application to broken/very inflamed skin and avoid eyes/mucous membranes; avoid use in infants <2 years (commonly treated as a contraindication/strong precaution depending on local labeling).

Warnings & Precautions

Avoid eyes/mucous membranes; do not apply to broken, raw, or severely inflamed skin; may cause transient burning/itching; avoid excessive or repeated applications (risk of irritation/systemic absorption); wash hands after use and prevent transfer to face/eyes; treat close contacts and decontaminate clothing/bedding when used for scabies; keep away from heat/flame if product is alcohol-based/flammable per labeling.

Age Restriction

Avoid in infants <2 years; use with caution in children ≥2 years (often diluted and/or shorter contact time per local guidance).

Driving Warning

Safe

Drug Interactions

Drug Interactions

No clinically significant systemic drug interactions expected; avoid or use caution with concurrent topical irritants/keratolytics or other scabicides on the same area due to additive irritation.

Interaction Severity

MINOR: Concurrent use of other topical irritants/keratolytics or harsh soaps may increase local irritation; avoid layering multiple scabicides unless directed.

Food Interaction

None (not applicable for topical use).

Alcohol Interaction

Safe

Special Populations

Pregnancy

Caution

Breastfeeding

Caution

Children

Children 2-12 years: Dilute 1:1 with water to obtain 12.5% concentration before application; not recommended under 2 years of age

Kidney Impairment

No adjustment needed

Liver Impairment

No adjustment needed.

Storage & Patient Advice

Preparation Instructions

Dilution may be required for children depending on age/local labeling (commonly dilution to ~12.5% for younger children); follow the product leaflet/local guideline for age-specific dilution and application.

Stopping the Medicine

Safe to stop at any time, but for scabies treatment complete the recommended regimen; do not continue repeated applications beyond the regimen without medical advice.

Overdose

Topical overuse: marked burning/irritation/contact dermatitis; ingestion: GI upset and CNS toxicity (agitation, tremor, seizures). Management: remove from skin by washing; if ingested seek urgent medical care/poison center-supportive care (do not induce vomiting; decontamination per toxicology advice).

Patient Counseling

Apply to clean, dry skin for scabies to the whole body from neck down (include finger/toe webs, under nails, genital/buttock folds; include scalp/face only if advised for infants/elderly/immunocompromised); avoid eyes/mucosa and broken skin; leave on per local protocol (commonly 24 hours) then wash off; treat all close contacts simultaneously; decontaminate clothing/linen (hot wash/dry or isolate); itching may persist 2-4 weeks after cure; consider repeat application in 7 days if recommended locally.

Monitoring Requirements

No routine laboratory monitoring; reassess clinically for treatment failure or reinfestation if symptoms persist (itch can last 2-4 weeks after successful scabies treatment).

Pharmacology

Mechanism of Action

Ectoparasiticide with neurotoxic effects on mites/lice leading to paralysis and death; ovicidal activity is limited/variable, so repeat treatment may be needed.

Onset of Action

Mite-killing effect begins within hours after adequate skin contact; symptomatic improvement in itching/rash may take several days and post-scabetic pruritus can persist for 2-4 weeks despite eradication.

Duration of Effect

Mite-killing effect persists during the period the lotion remains on the skin (typically 8-24 hours per application); there is minimal residual activity after washing off.

Half-Life

Not well defined for topical benzyl benzoate; systemic half-life is not clinically meaningful because systemic exposure is usually minimal with correct use.

Bioavailability

Low systemic bioavailability with intact skin; some percutaneous absorption can occur and increases with damaged skin/large surface area/occlusion.

Metabolism

Hydrolyzed to benzyl alcohol and benzoic acid; benzyl alcohol is oxidized to benzoic acid; benzoic acid is conjugated with glycine to hippuric acid.

Product Information

Available Dosage Forms

Lotion (this product: BENZAL 25% LOTION).

Composition per Dose

Each 100 ml lotion: 25 g benzyl benzoate (25% w/v)

Generic Availability

Yes

OTC Alternatives

Permethrin 5% cream (where available OTC) and sulfur 5-10% topical preparations are common alternatives; malathion 0.5% lotion may be an alternative in some formularies/regions.

Skin Condition

Parasitic (Scabies, Lice)

Reviewed by Al Mujtama Pharmacy Medical Review Team. Last reviewed 12-05-2026