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Permethrin

FDA-approved product (lotion, topical), marketed as Elimite, Nix, Permethrin.

Registered studies
50+
Lab records
0
Pathogens at ≥40%
2 of 4

Chemical structure

Chemical structure of Permethrin
A drawing shows what the molecule is, not what it does.

Existing / approved use

Documented · FDA, WHO, ChEMBL

Approved for

  • Parasitic infection

Indications ChEMBL records as approved, from FDA and DailyMed labels.

WHO therapeutic group
Pyrethrines, incl. synthetic compounds
FDA pharmacologic class
Pyrethroid FDA label ↗
Anti-infective classification
Classified as another kind of anti-infective (for example an antifungal, antiviral or antiparasitic medicine).WHO ATC P03AC04; WHO ATC P03AC54

Repurposing investigation

This medicine is being investigated here for AI-predicted antimicrobial activity against M. tuberculosis and MRSA. It was surfaced computationally for further investigation; it is not an established treatment for these infections.

AI-predicted activity

AI prediction · nothing measured
  • MRSA41.0% AI-predicted activityAt or above the ≥40% mark this site uses to surface candidates.
  • E. coli31.6% AI-predicted activityBelow the ≥40% mark this site uses to surface candidates.
  • K. pneumoniae13.6% AI-predicted activityBelow the ≥40% mark this site uses to surface candidates.
  • M. tuberculosis48.4% AI-predicted activityAt or above the ≥40% mark this site uses to surface candidates.

A model’s estimate of laboratory activity against each pathogen species. It is not clinical effectiveness.

Evidence

Clinical and experimental

Documented evidence

Clinical

50+registered studies name this medicine, for any condition. The registry search keeps the first 50, so there may be more. See them below.

Experimental

No evidence found

No laboratory measurement against the four pathogens in the ChEMBL records loaded here.

Docking

Computational · nothing measured

Dihydrofolate reductase ↗ (E. coli)

-8.1 kcal/mol

0better fit →-12

KPC-2 carbapenemase ↗ (K. pneumoniae)

-7.2 kcal/mol

0better fit →-12

Enoyl-ACP reductase (InhA) ↗ (M. tuberculosis)

-9.0 kcal/mol

0better fit →-12

Dihydrofolate reductase ↗ (MRSA)

-8.4 kcal/mol

0better fit →-12

AutoDock Vina, one experimentally solved protein per pathogen. This project’s screening target is -7.0 kcal/mol, its own mark rather than a universal cutoff. A docking score is a structural hypothesis, not proof of binding, and requires experimental validation.

Other medicines to investigate

AI prediction · nothing measured

Other repurposing candidates: approved medicines besides Permethrin with AI-predicted activity ≥40% against the chosen pathogen, leaving out existing antimicrobials. They are computational candidates for further investigation, not alternatives and not recommendations.

Sorted by AI-predicted activity, high to low. The order is not a ranking of which medicine is better.

Registered studies

A registration describes a study; it does not establish a positive result.

  • Metabolism of the Insecticide Permethrin

    NCT00572884 · start 2006-02

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT00572884
    Conditions
    Pharmacokinetics; Metabolism
    Interventions
    permethrin insecticide
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Not applicable
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2006-02
    Completion
    2007-11
    Enrolment
    6

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionPharmacokinetics; Metabolism
    Interventionpermethrin insecticide
    PhaseNot applicable
    Registry statusCompleted
  • Safety and Efficacy of a Novel Malathion Formulation in the Treatment of Head Lice

    NCT00244439 · start 2005-12

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT00244439
    Conditions
    Lice Infestations
    Interventions
    MALG; Ovide (malathion) lotion 0.05%; Permethrin 1%
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 3
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2005-12
    Completion
    2006-12
    Enrolment
    360

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionLice Infestations
    InterventionMALG; Ovide (malathion) lotion 0.05%; Permethrin 1%
    PhasePhase 3
    Registry statusCompleted
  • Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Ivermectin to Permethrin

    NCT00262418 · start 2004-07

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT00262418
    Conditions
    Scabies
    Interventions
    Administration of ivermectin or permethrin
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 2
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2004-07
    Completion
    2005-05
    Enrolment
    160

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionScabies
    InterventionAdministration of ivermectin or permethrin
    PhasePhase 2
    Registry statusCompleted
  • Effect of Intensive Fly Control on Trachoma and Ocular Chlamydia Infection in Tanzania

    NCT00347763 · start 2000-06

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT00347763
    Conditions
    Trachoma
    Interventions
    10% permethrin in water applied as low volume spray
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 4
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2000-06
    Completion
    2002-10
    Enrolment
    350

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionTrachoma
    Intervention10% permethrin in water applied as low volume spray
    PhasePhase 4
    Registry statusCompleted
  • Cocamide DEA vs Permethrin for Head Lice

    NCT02500524 · start 1998-07

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT02500524
    Conditions
    Pediculosis Capitis; Head Louse Infestation
    Interventions
    Cocamide diethanolamine; Permethrin
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 3
    Registry status
    Terminated
    Start
    1998-07
    Completion
    1999-01
    Enrolment
    44

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionPediculosis Capitis; Head Louse Infestation
    InterventionCocamide diethanolamine; Permethrin
    PhasePhase 3
    Registry statusTerminated