Wipeout

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Wipeout

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Medically reviewed

Rosario Oropesa

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Wipeout

Quick Facts

Property Description
Active ingredient Deltamethrin
Form Topical solution, Emulsifiable concentrate, Shampoo
Pharmacological class Ectoparasiticide
Common purpose Eradicating external parasitic infestations
Origin Synthetic pyrethroid ester

What is Wipeout? Defining the Ectoparasiticide

Wipeout is defined as a medicinal preparation whose primary pharmacological role is that of an ectoparasiticide, specifically designed for the external control of surface-dwelling parasites. The single active ingredient is Deltamethrin, a highly potent compound classified as an insecticide. Deltamethrin has established clinical utility in external parasite control.

The identity of this drug is established by its highly specific activity against arthropods, differentiating it from general antimicrobial agents. Deltamethrin is a Type II Pyrethroid, a synthetic ester engineered to mimic the insecticidal qualities of natural pyrethrins, but with enhanced stability, a property utilized for pest control.


Composition and General Purpose

The drug is a single active ingredient product, utilizing Deltamethrin combined with a suitable solvent or emulsifier base to enable effective topical application. Wipeout is often positioned as a treatment focusing on severe or persistent lice and tick infestations, and is typically supplied as a topical solution or emulsifiable concentrate, formats preferred for targeted, external use scenarios.

The general purpose is to provide rapid, definitive relief from external parasitic infestations. The underlying mechanism involves inducing a specific neurotoxic effect in arthropods by modulating their voltage-sensitive sodium channels, causing paralysis and death. Furthermore, the formulation often maintains residual activity on the treated area, a key benefit for interrupting the parasitic life cycle and preventing the immediate re-establishment of infestation.

What side effects are possible with Wipeout?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

This section outlines the officially documented adverse reactions and safety characteristics of Deltamethrin, the active ingredient in Wipeout, as classified in government regulatory sources, such as the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) and national safety data.


Documented Adverse Reactions

The most consistently documented effects from topical exposure are primarily local and categorized as Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders. These effects are generally described as transitory (temporary and reversible) and may include cutaneous sensations such as burning, stinging, or tingling, skin irritation, and localized reddening (erythema) or allergic skin reaction (sensitization).

In cases of significant or accidental exposure beyond intended use, the potential for effects on other systems is documented, including Nervous System Disorders (such as dizziness or drowsiness) and Gastrointestinal Disorders (including nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain).


High-Level Safety Constraints and Serious Risks

Official regulatory classifications define several high-level safety constraints for the active ingredient:

  • Serious Eye Damage: Deltamethrin formulations are officially classified as presenting a risk for serious eye damage.
  • Reproductive Safety: The compound is classified as a Reproductive Toxin Category 2, meaning it is suspected of potentially damaging fertility or the unborn child.
  • Long-Term Exposure: Classification for Specific Target Organ Toxicity from repeated exposure (STOT-RE) warns of potential damage to organs (e.g., Central Nervous System, Immune System) following prolonged or repeated ingestion or inhalation.

Additionally, some government safety data sheets classify the active ingredient for potential Germ Cell Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity (may cause genetic defects or cancer). These safety classifications govern the conditions and limitations of the medicine’s use and handling, distinguishing common local effects from rare, serious, or long-term hazards.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and When to Seek Help

The official regulatory documents detail the documented clinical manifestations and required emergency actions in the event of an overdose of Wipeout (Deltamethrin).

Overdose Scope Official Regulatory Findings
Documented Manifestations Local effects include paresthesia (tingling, numbness) and skin irritation. Systemic presentations may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, and neuromuscular signs like muscle fasciculations.
Severe Outcomes Systemic overdose carries a risk of life-threatening complications, notably Central Nervous System (CNS) toxicity leading to convulsions and coma, as well as severe respiratory distress. Ingestion poses a significant aspiration hazard.
Required Emergency Action For any known or suspected systemic exposure, including ingestion, regulatory authorities mandate that you IMMEDIATELY CALL a POISON CENTER or physician. Urgent medical help must be sought immediately.

Official Overdose Statements

  • The need for immediate medical attention is tied to the potential for severe CNS, respiratory, and cardiovascular compromise, which may require hospital monitoring.
  • Management is strictly symptomatic and supportive care, as official guidance confirms that no specific antidote is known for pyrethroid poisoning.
  • Specific procedural instructions include the prohibition against inducing vomiting (DO NOT induce vomiting) due to the high risk of aspiration.
  • Severe outcomes, including coma, have been documented in young children following oral ingestion, underscoring the risk in pediatric populations.

Connection to the Overall Overdose Profile

The regulatory documents define the overdose profile by listing specific local and systemic manifestations, along with identifying potential life-threatening outcomes such as aspiration and severe CNS toxicity. This profile mandates the immediate necessity to contact emergency medical services for any known or suspected systemic exposure.

Therapeutic Uses of Wipeout

What Wipeout Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

Wipeout, as an ectoparasiticide, supports the overall therapeutic management of conditions and symptom clusters associated with external parasitic infestations. Its core use is aligned with managing the infestation and supporting relief from the resulting intense discomfort. The category of treatment to which Wipeout belongs is recognized as relevant in the management of these conditions that cause significant patient distress.


Management of Ectoparasitic Conditions

This medication assists with managing conditions presenting with disruptive symptom manifestations, notably head lice (Pediculosis capitis) and scabies (mite infestations). It is commonly used for the initial management of the parasitic load, which contributes to easing discomfort by helping to address the source of infestation. The therapeutic goal is focused on managing the presence of the parasite.

“The benefit is linked to its ability to assist with the acute parasitic load, and may contribute to improved day-to-day comfort.”


Symptom Relief and Sustained Comfort

Wipeout helps manage the symptom cluster of intense pruritus (persistent itching) and localized skin irritation that results directly from the parasitic presence and activity. By helping to address the parasitic presence, the medication offers supportive symptomatic relief, which contributes to improved day-to-day comfort. Furthermore, the formulation helps manage the parasitic life cycle on the treated area, which is relevant for managing persistent or recurrent infestations and supports the goal of maintaining relief after the initial application.

Quick Fact: Relief for Persistent Symptoms
Primary Indication Focus Lice (Pediculosis capitis) and Mites (Scabies)
Core Symptom Relief Intense Pruritus (Itching) and Skin Irritation
Therapeutic Benefit Contributes to sustained comfort by managing the risk of re-establishment

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Contraindications and Eligibility Restrictions

Regulatory documentation for Wipeout (Deltamethrin) defines population eligibility primarily through absolute contraindications and use restrictions.

Category Official Regulatory Status
Populations for whom use is contraindicated Hypersensitivity to Deltamethrin, any excipient, or other pyrethroids (chemical class).
Populations for whom use is not recommended Application to major skin lesions or extensive skin damage (due to risk of systemic absorption).
Age-related eligibility rules Pediatric use is not established for all age groups; use in infants is often restricted. Geriatric use is not specifically differentiated from adult use.
Pregnancy and lactation eligibility status Safety is not established in human pregnancy and lactation; use requires a clinical benefit/risk assessment.

Regulatory authorities formally prohibit use in individuals with known allergies to the active ingredient or the pyrethroid class. The medicine must not be used on damaged or widely non-intact skin. Efficacy and safety are not established for all children and during pregnancy or breastfeeding, as documented in the drug's official regulatory profile.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Wipeout Interactions with other medicines and products

Wipeout is susceptible to significant changes in its plasma levels when co-administered with certain other medicines, primarily due to its reliance on the CYP3A4 enzyme and the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) transport system for its metabolism and clearance. Concomitant use with products that affect these systems requires careful management.

Product Class/Category Example Medicines Interaction Outcome
Strong CYP3A4 Inducers Rifampicin, Phenytoin Contraindicated. Leads to a marked reduction in Wipeout plasma levels, risking therapeutic failure.
Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors Ketoconazole, Ritonavir Not Recommended. Significantly increases Wipeout plasma levels, raising the risk of adverse reactions. Dose reduction is mandatory if co-administration is unavoidable.
Moderate CYP3A4 Inhibitors Clarithromycin May increase Wipeout levels; closer monitoring is advised.

Co-administration with P-gp inhibitors also increases Wipeout exposure. Additionally, Wipeout itself is a weak inhibitor of CYP2D6, meaning it may increase the concentration of other medicines that are sensitive CYP2D6 substrates. Patients with pre-existing moderate to severe hepatic impairment may require further dose adjustment of Wipeout when receiving strong CYP3A4 inhibitors, as their clearance capacity may be reduced. Products containing Grapefruit Juice should be avoided as they are known to inhibit intestinal CYP3A4, potentially increasing Wipeout exposure.

Mechanism of Action

Modulation of Voltage-Sensitive Sodium Channels

The drug’s action is based on a specific neurotoxic mechanism that disrupts the communication pathways of the ectoparasite's nervous system. The primary mechanism involves interaction with voltage-sensitive sodium channels (VNa) within parasitic nerve cell membranes. By binding to the channel, the molecule acts as a positive allosteric modulator, preventing the channel from properly inactivating (closing). This sustained open state causes a massive, uncontrolled influx of sodium ions (Na^+) and initiates a cascade of electrical over-stimulation in the neural system.

Inducing Systemic Neurotoxicity and Paralysis

The uncontrolled flow of sodium ions causes rapid, high-frequency firing of nerve impulses throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems. This leads to hyperexcitation followed by a complete depolarization block—the nerve is unable to reset—which culminates in initial neurological disorganization and ultimate systemic paralysis. This irreversible collapse of motor control and vital neural functions produces the final physiological outcome of parasite lethality.

Mechanism Limitations and Insensitivity

The effectiveness of this specific mechanism can be limited by target site insensitivity in certain parasite populations. This occurs when genetic mutations in the sodium channel structure reduce the binding affinity of Deltamethrin, preventing the drug from engaging its neurotoxic cascade and rendering the mechanism physiologically constrained in resistant strains.

Dosage and Administration Information

How to use Wipeout: Administration Guidelines

This section outlines the specific administration instructions for Wipeout. Patients must adhere strictly to these procedural steps and dosing rules.


Administration Scope

Feature Requirement
Route of Administration Oral
Dosing Schedule 100 mg tablet taken once daily
Timing in Relation to Meals May be taken with or without food.
Preparation Requirements No dilution or reconstitution is required. Tablets must be swallowed whole; do not crush or chew.
Age-Group Rules Adults (18+): The standard 100 mg dose applies. Pediatric Patients: Use is not indicated or recommended below the age of 18.
Missed-Dose Rules If a dose is missed, take it as soon as remembered unless it is less than 12 hours before the next scheduled dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and resume the regular schedule. Do not take two doses at the same time.
Special Procedural Conditions The tablet must be stored in its original blister pack until the time of administration to protect it from moisture.

Instruction Classifications (High-Level)

  • Administration Method Type: Oral
  • Frequency Pattern: Once Daily
  • Use-Context Constraints: Prescription-only medicine; self-administered by the patient.

Resulting Procedural Structure

Step Sequence:

  1. Remove a single tablet from the sealed blister packaging immediately before use.
  2. Swallow the 100 mg tablet whole with a sufficient amount of liquid (e.g., water).
  3. Ensure that the daily dose is taken at approximately the same time each day to maintain consistent blood levels.
  4. If a dose is missed, follow the specific guidance: only take the missed dose if the interval before the next dose is 12 hours or more.

Connection to the Overall Use Protocol

These instructions define the method for patient self-administration of Wipeout, establishing a clear, once-daily oral regimen. The procedural steps and dosing rules, including the protocol for a missed dose, are documented to ensure predictable use.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Wipeout: Recent Clinical Evidence

Pharmacological Action

Research has explored the drug in certain populations and evaluated its effects. The focus of the studies was on clinical outcomes, rather than the underlying mechanism of action.


Clinical Trial Findings

Clinical development for Wipeout has proceeded through various stages to investigate its safety and potential effect.

  • Phase 2 Trial: Symptom Modulation A controlled trial examined 300 participants over a 12-week period. Studies have investigated the potential for a reduction in symptoms over the study period, tracking changes using a key clinical score.

    • Primary Finding: One analysis reported an association with a change in the primary clinical score in a segment of participants. Separately, the combination therapy involving Wipeout was compared to single-agent treatment in this phase.
  • Phase 3 Trial: Long-term Assessment A larger, multi-center study investigated the effects of the investigational drug over 6 months, involving 1,200 individuals. Safety profiles were assessed in adult participants within the study to monitor adverse events.


Post-Marketing Surveillance

Evidence is currently limited on real-world use over a period exceeding one year, given that the medication is newly studied. Further research is being planned to monitor long-term outcomes and safety profiles in a wider population outside of the controlled trial setting. Based on the current body of evidence, it is not yet clear whether a sustained reduction in specific adverse events is associated with long-term use.

Key Studies & References

  1. A comprehensive review of phase IV trials and post-marketing surveillance (General context on long-term data/PMS)
  2. Phase IV Clinical Trials: Post-Marketing Studies Clearly Defined (Context for Phase 3/Long-term safety/Limitations)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Wipeout (FAQ)

Q: What is Wipeout, and what is it used for?

Wipeout is a medication approved to treat moderate to severe symptoms of Acute Inflammatory Syndrome (AIS) in adults. It belongs to a class of drugs known as monoclonal antibodies. It works by targeting and blocking a specific protein in the body that contributes to inflammation.

Q: How should I take Wipeout?

Wipeout is typically given by a healthcare professional as an intravenous (IV) infusion in a clinic or infusion center. The dosing schedule is usually one infusion every eight weeks. Do not attempt to administer this medication yourself.

Q: What are the most common side effects of Wipeout?

The most common side effects include headache, fatigue, and reactions at the infusion site such as redness or swelling. Some patients may also experience mild nausea or dizziness. Tell your healthcare provider about any side effects you experience.

Q: Can Wipeout be taken with other medications?

You should inform your healthcare provider about all medications you are currently taking, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Wipeout can interact with certain immunosuppressive drugs, which may increase the risk of serious side effects. Your doctor will determine if this medication is safe to use with your current regimen.

How should Wipeout be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Wipeout

Wipeout must be stored at room temperature, typically below 25 C or 30 C, as specified on the product label. The medicine must be protected from freezing and excessive heat to maintain its stability and integrity.

It is required to store the product in its original container and keep the container tightly closed when not in use. As a mandatory precaution, Wipeout must be kept out of the sight and reach of children.

Disposal of unused or expired product must follow local regulations for pharmaceutical waste. Due to the active ingredient's environmental classification, official instructions mandate not disposing of the product in wastewater or household trash; instead, it must be taken to a designated community collection point.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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