NEUROTOXIC REACTION TO LINDANE IN AN HIV-SEROPOSITIVE PATIENT - AN OLD MEDICATIONS NEW PROBLEM

Scabies is a common infestation for patients of all ages throughout th e world. One of the standard therapies for scabies is 1% lindane lotio n. Lindane has been associated with neurotoxic reactions, specifically seizures. We describe a case of a middle-aged adult man with human im munodeficiency virus (HIV) infection who was found to have typical sca bies and was treated with a single topical application of lindane. Two hours after the application, the patient experienced a new-onset gene ralized seizure. We believe that the triad of HIV infection, medicatio ns that reduce seizure thresholds, and percutaneous absorption factors , in the aggregate, induced the seizure. We believe that lindane shoul d not be prescribed for patients with HIV infection.