cocamide diethanolamine 10% lotion

Cocamide diethanolamine 10% lotion is a surfactant-based topical treatment developed by the Medical Entomology Centre (Insect Research & Development Limited) for the eradication of head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis). Unlike traditional neurotoxic pediculicides such as permethrin, this formulation utilizes a physical mechanism of action by disrupting the lipid layer of the louse cuticle, leading to the death of the parasite. Although the surfactant demonstrated efficacy against laboratory-reared clothing lice, Phase 3 clinical trials for head lice infestation showed limited activity, with cure rates of approximately 33.9% regardless of the dosing regimen, which was significantly lower than the 1% permethrin comparator.

Other names

cocamide DEAcoconut fatty acid diethanolamideN,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl) coconut fatty acid amide