Crotamiton

Abstract

Crotamiton (N-ethylcrotono-o-toluidide or N-ethyl-o-methylphenyl- 2-hutenamide; Crotamitex®, Eurax®, Euraxil@, Veteusan®) is an unclassified acaricide (scabicide) and insecticide used topically in human and veterinarian medicine (Domenjoz, 1946; Couperus, 1949; Budavari et al., 1996). The substance is a colorless, yellowish oil, soluble in methanol and ethanol. Its molecular formula is C13H17NO, its molecular weight is 203.28, and the molecular structure is shown in Figure 208.1. Crotamiton is available for topical use only. It is used for the treatment of scabies caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei, for other mite infestations, for head lice infestations, and for the symptomatic treatment of pruritus. Formulations available on the market usually contain 10% crotamiton. It was first commercialized by Geigy, and marketed for the treatment of scabies in 1946 (Burckhardt and Rymarowicz, 1946; Domenjoz, 1946; Roos et al., 2001). Crotamiton is sometimes erroneously confused with crotamine, a component of the venom in Brazilian rattlesnakes.