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A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of a Leave-in Spray in Subjects With Head Lice Infestation

Treatment of Infestation With Pediculus Humanus Capitis in the Community Using a leave-in Spray: A Prospective, Randomised Controlled Study

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05565820
Enrollment
58
Registered
2022-10-04
Start date
2022-12-15
Completion date
2023-03-12
Last updated
2025-02-24

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Head Lice, Lice Infestations, Pediculosis Capitis

Keywords

Phthiraptera, Pediculus humanus Capitis, Pediculidae, Parasitic Diseases, Human Head Louse, Pediculi, Nits, Homeopathy, Homeopathic Pharmacopoeias, Homeopathic Formularies, Insecticides, Parasitology

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Vamousse Spray 'n' Go, compared to a 1% Permethrin control shampoo, in the treatment of head lice.

Detailed description

This is a Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Alliance Pharmaceutical Product in Subjects Infested with Pediculosis Capitis. The subject population includes healthy male and female subjects aged 2 years and up who are infested with Pediculus humanus capitis. Household members infestation with an active head lice, defined as at least 1 live louse (adult and/or nymph) present on the scalp and/or hair as determined by a trained evaluator, will receive treatment with study product at baseline. The planned overall sample size for this clinical trial is approximately n=58 subjects, equally divided between treatment and control groups. Potential subjects will be screened for eligibility and if eligible to participate, their infestation level will be rated. Eligible subjects at each infestation level will be assigned alternately to the treatment or control group to ensure that the two groups have approximately equal representations of infestation severity levels. Level of infestation will be rated as heavy, moderate or light described by how quickly lice were found during combing: heavy infestation = \>1 louse with one stroke of the comb; moderate infestation =1 louse with one stroke of the comb; light infestation = first louse found only after several strokes of the comb. Randomly assign subjects to treatment or control group based on infestation severity alternation system (i.e., randomly assign pairs of equal severity levels to treatment and control groups, a form of stratified random sampling) to achieve balanced representation of severity in the two groups. After assignment to a study group, each eligible subject will receive the application of either the Alliance Pharmaceutical Product Vamousse Spray 'n' Go drug or the Permethrin-based control drug. Infested household members will be treated with the Vamousse Spray 'n' Go or Permethrin lotion on-site (i.e., the household members should be assigned to the same treatment as the index case). During the baseline visit (Day 0), the Investigator and clinical staff members will record subject's demographics; elicit informed consent; obtain medical history; review concomitant medication to identify any prohibited therapies the subject may be receiving; collect vital signs; conduct visual assessment of head lice, specifically counting live lice and nits with stages noted, using a 15 inch led 5x magnifying procedure lamp and if needed for confirmation, laboratory microscopes; perform physical examination; assess local skin/ scalp irritation; assess ocular irritation; perform urine pregnancy test on females; and conduct an adverse event assessment. At day 7, if live lice are still present, a repeat treatment will be administered. After day 7 if a subject reports clear signs of infestation ( i.e., the presence of live lice), they will be regarded as a treatment failure and they will be offered treatment with an alternative product (viz., Vamousse Mousse ) by clinical staff. For the treatment group, Clinical staff will apply Vamousse Spray 'n' Go to fully coat dry hair and scalp, avoiding the eyes and mucus membranes. The Treatment will be left on the hair and scalp for 8 hours, then standard at home shampoo and rinsed off with warm water, followed by combing. The Treatment spray bottle is intended for a single use although it contains a sufficient quantity for two treatments. All household members will be instructed on an overall lice management program, which includes: * Wash (in hot water) or dry-clean all recently worn clothing, hats, used bedding and towels. * Wash (in hot water) personal care items such as combs, brushes and hair clips. * Record time and date product shampoo/rinse 8 hours post treatment For the control group, Clinical staff will first shampoo the hair and scalp using regular shampoo. They will then thoroughly rinse and towel dry the hair and scalp, and allow hair to air dry for a few minutes. Shaking the permethrin lotion well before applying, they will proceed to thoroughly wet the hair and scalp with the permethrin lotion, being sure also to cover the areas behind the ears and on the back of the neck. After allowing the lotion to remain in place for 10 minutes, they will then rinse the hair and scalp thoroughly and dry with a clean towel. The site will provide Subject with lice management instructions. Subjects will return for post-baseline visits assessments at Day 2, Day 7, and Day 14. Day 2: The Investigator and medical staff will collect medical history, collect vital signs, perform physical examination, scalp irritation assessment, ocular irritation assessment and adverse events assessment, perform a visual assessment for the presence or absence of head lice, (Lice will be counted, each stage examined and noted live or dead; 15in led 5x magnifying procedure lamp or laboratory microscopes are used for confirmation if needed, Without clipping hair strands, nits will also be examined, each stage examined and noted hatched or unhatched), and adverse events assessment Urine pregnancy testing will be performed on each Visit, with interim visits confirming pregnancy has not occurred through questioning participating subject and legal guardian. Day 7: The Investigator and medical staff will collect medical history, collect vital signs, perform a physical examination, assess scalp irritation, assess ocular irritation and adverse events, perform a visual assessment for the presence of head lice (lice will be counted, each stage identified, and noted live or dead; 15in led 5x magnifying procedure lamp or laboratory microscopes will be used for confirmation if needed; without clipping hair strands, nits will also be examined, each stage examined, and noted hatched or unhatched). Urine pregnancy testing of females will be performed on each visit, with interim visits confirming pregnancy has not occurred through questioning participating subject and legal guardian. If, at day 7, live lice are still present, a repeat Vamousse Spray 'n' Go or Permethrin (depending on study group) shampoo treatment will be administered. Day 14: The Investigator and medical staff will collect medical history, concomitant and prohibited medication review, perform vital signs, urine pregnancy testing if applicable, perform physical examination, record local application site reactions, ocular irritation assessment, perform a visual assessment for the presence of head lice (lice will be removed, counted, each stage examined and noted live or dead; 15 inch led 5x magnifying procedure lamp or laboratory microscopes are used for confirmation; nits will also be removed by clipping hair strands, examined, each stage counted, and noted as hatched or unhatched) and adverse events assessment. By day 14 if a subject reports clear signs of infestation (i.e., the presence of live lice) they will be regarded as a treatment failure and will be offered treatment with an alternative product (Vamousse Mousse) by clinical staff.

Interventions

DRUGNix Creme Rinse Lice Treatment

1% permethrin lotion for topical application.

OTHERVamousse Spray 'n' Go

Pediculicide for topical application, active ingredient Natrum Muriaticum 2X (HPUS).

Sponsors

South Florida Family Health and Research Centers
CollaboratorNETWORK
Alliance Pharmaceuticals
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Intervention model description

Parallel group design with participants randomised, Randomly assign subjects to treatment or control group based on infestation severity alternation system, to Vamousse Spray 'n' Go or 1% Permethrin control.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
2 Years to 75 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Subjects must have an active head lice infestation defined as: at least 1 live lice (adults and/or nymphs) present on the scalp and/or hair, as determined by a trained evaluator. * Subjects must be at least two (2) years of age through 75 years of age, presenting with an active head lice infestation. * Subject is male or female. * Subject is in good general health based on medical history. * Each subject must have an appropriately signed Informed Consent agreement. A caregiver must sign an Informed Consent agreement for children not old enough to do so. Children 6-17 years of age will be administered a child's Assent Form. * The caregiver of a subject must be willing to allow all household members to be screened for head lice. If other household members are found to have an active head lice infestation, they must be willing and able to participate in receiving study product or Standard of Care. * Subject agrees not to use any other form of lice treatments (commercial, community-anecdotal, or mechanical/manual) while participating in the study. * Following application of the test product, subject agrees not to shampoo, wash or rinse their hair or scalp until 8-hour post-treatment time has been reached and documented. * Subject agrees not to cut or chemically treat their hair while participating in the study. * Subject agrees to follow all study instructions, including attending all follow-up appointments. * Female subjects of childbearing potential must be willing to have a urine pregnancy test prior to inclusion in this study.

Exclusion criteria

* History of irritation or sensitivity to Nature Muriaticum 2X (HPUS) or Vamousse Spray 'n' Go or the components, pediculicides or hair care products. * Presentation at the treatment site with visible skin/scalp condition(s) that are not attributable to head lice infestation, such as an erythema score and atopic dermatitis that is \>2, blisters, vesicles which, in the opinion of the investigative personnel or medical monitor, will interfere with safety and/or efficacy evaluations. * Presentation at the treatment site with eczema or atopic dermatitis. * Treatment for head lice (Over the Counter, home remedy and/or Prescription) in the last 30 days. * Any condition or illness that, in the opinion of the investigator, may compromise the objective of the protocol. * Subject is receiving any other treatment which, in the opinion of the investigator or medical monitor, may interfere with the study results. * Females (including caregivers who come in contact with the investigational product) who are pregnant, nursing or planning a pregnancy which could include household subjects. If a household has a pregnant female who has an active case of lice, the entire household is excluded from participation and provided Standard of Care. * Household members of child-bearing potential, including subjects, and unwilling to use an adequate method of contraception for the duration of the study. Adequate methods of contraception include: abstinence, vasectomised partner, oral birth control pills, birth control injections or patches, intra uterine devices, condoms with a spermicidal jelly or a diaphragm with spermicidal jelly, surgical sterilisation. Subjects and/or caregivers will be considered non-child-bearing if the following has occurred: full hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy is considered surgically sterile. Tubal ligation is not considered equivalent to female sterilisation. * Participation in a previous investigational drug study within the past 30 days. * Does not understand the requirements for study participation and/or may likely exhibit poor compliance, in the opinion of the investigator. * Does not have a known household affiliation with their household members (i.e., do not stay in one household consistently, sleeping at one place several nights and then at another place or location). Household is defined as living in a shared area or space (for example the same house of apartment unit).

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Proportion of Participants Who Are Completely Free of Live Lice2, 7, and 14 days from baselineThe total numbers of subjects in each group free of live lice at Days 2, 7, and 14, where 'live lice free is defined as no presence of live adult or nymph lice. Zero subjects in each group were free of live lice at baseline. Since the two groups differed substantially in size, the numbers of live lice free subjects in each group at Days 2, 7, and 14 were transformed for analytical purposes to proportions of the respective group's participant totals on the respective days in order to achieve a metric that reflects commensurate degrees of difference between the two groups.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Proportion of Change in Total Number of Live Adult Lice and Nymphs From the Baseline2, 7, and 14 days from baselineThe counts of live lice at Days 2, 7, and 14 for were subtracted from the respective each participant's baseline count for the respective day. The resulting raw differences were transformed for analytical purposes to proportions of the respective participant's baseline live lice count in order to achieve a metric that reflected commensurate degrees of change, the means of which could be compared between the two groups for each interval from baseline. All proportions of change from baseline are negatively signed to reflect a reduction in the count from baseline, which occurred for both groups on all 3 post-baseline assessment days.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Vamousse Spray 'n' Go
The Vamousse Spray 'n' Go group is defined as the group of lice infected subjects who were treated with the Vamousse Spray 'n' Go product at baseline and if needed, on Day 7 following baseline. Treatment with this product consisted of fully coating the hair and scalp with the product, leaving it on for 8 hours and then shampooing at home by the subject with the subject's usual shampoo, and rinsed off with warm water followed by combing.
43
Nix Creme Rinse Lice Treatment
The Nix Creme Rinse Lice Treatment group is defined as the group of lice infected subjects who were treated with the Nix Creme Rinse Lice Treatment at baseline and if needed, on Day 7 following baseline. Treatment with this product consisted of the clinical staff first shampooing the subject's hair and scalp using regular shampoo and then thoroughly rinsing and towel drying the person's hair and scalp. After allowing the hair to air dry for a few minutes, they then thoroughly wet the subject's hair and scalp with the Nix Creme Rinse Lice Treatment lotion, being sure to cover the areas behind the ears and on the back of the neck.The lotion was allowed to remain in place for 10 minutes, after which the hair and scalp were thoroughly rinsed and dried with a clean towel.
15
Total58

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001
14 Day Treatment EffectivenessWithdrawal by Subject20
7 Day Treatment EffectivenessWithdrawal by Subject20

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicVamousse Spray 'n' GoNix Creme Rinse Lice TreatmentTotal
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
28 Participants12 Participants40 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
15 Participants3 Participants18 Participants
Age, Continuous18.72 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 14.27
13.93 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.87
17.48 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 14.32
Count of live lice1270 live lice288 live lice1558 live lice
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
White/Hispanic
43 Participants15 Participants58 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
43 Participants15 Participants58 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
39 Participants14 Participants53 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
4 Participants1 Participants5 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 430 / 15
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 430 / 15
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 430 / 15

Outcome results

Primary

Proportion of Participants Who Are Completely Free of Live Lice

The total numbers of subjects in each group free of live lice at Days 2, 7, and 14, where 'live lice free is defined as no presence of live adult or nymph lice. Zero subjects in each group were free of live lice at baseline. Since the two groups differed substantially in size, the numbers of live lice free subjects in each group at Days 2, 7, and 14 were transformed for analytical purposes to proportions of the respective group's participant totals on the respective days in order to achieve a metric that reflects commensurate degrees of difference between the two groups.

Time frame: 2, 7, and 14 days from baseline

Population: The 58 subjects who completed one or more of the three post-baseline assessments.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (NUMBER)
Vamousse Spray 'n' GoProportion of Participants Who Are Completely Free of Live LiceBaseline proportion0.00 proportion of subjects free of live lice
Vamousse Spray 'n' GoProportion of Participants Who Are Completely Free of Live LiceDay 7 proportion.415 proportion of subjects free of live lice
Vamousse Spray 'n' GoProportion of Participants Who Are Completely Free of Live LiceDay 14 proportion.683 proportion of subjects free of live lice
Vamousse Spray 'n' GoProportion of Participants Who Are Completely Free of Live LiceDay 2 proportion.535 proportion of subjects free of live lice
Nix Creme Rinse Lice TreatmentProportion of Participants Who Are Completely Free of Live LiceDay 14 proportion.400 proportion of subjects free of live lice
Nix Creme Rinse Lice TreatmentProportion of Participants Who Are Completely Free of Live LiceBaseline proportion0.00 proportion of subjects free of live lice
Nix Creme Rinse Lice TreatmentProportion of Participants Who Are Completely Free of Live LiceDay 2 proportion.200 proportion of subjects free of live lice
Nix Creme Rinse Lice TreatmentProportion of Participants Who Are Completely Free of Live LiceDay 7 proportion.067 proportion of subjects free of live lice
Comparison: Null hypothesis: At Day 2 the proportion of lice free subjects in the Vamousse Spray 'n' Go group does not exceed that in the Nix Creme Rinse Lice Treatment group.~The null hypothesis is one-tailed. However, for consistency with the practice of reporting conservative p-values in clinical studies, the two-tailed p-value will be reported.p-value: 0.025Z-test for difference in proportions
Comparison: Null hypothesis: At Day 7 the proportion of lice free subjects in the Vamousse Spray 'n' Go group does not exceed that in the Nix Creme Rinse Lice Treatment group.~The null hypothesis is one-tailed. However, for consistency with the practice of reporting conservative p-values in clinical studies, the two-tailed p-value will be reported.p-value: 0.014Z-test for difference in proportions
Comparison: Null hypothesis: At Day 14 the proportion of lice-free subjects in the Vamousse Spray 'n' Go group does not exceed that in the Nix Creme Rinse Lice Treatment group.~The null hypothesis is one-tailed. However, for consistency with the practice of reporting conservative p-values in clinical studies, the two-tailed p-value will be reported.p-value: 0.054Z-test for difference in proportions
Secondary

Proportion of Change in Total Number of Live Adult Lice and Nymphs From the Baseline

The counts of live lice at Days 2, 7, and 14 for were subtracted from the respective each participant's baseline count for the respective day. The resulting raw differences were transformed for analytical purposes to proportions of the respective participant's baseline live lice count in order to achieve a metric that reflected commensurate degrees of change, the means of which could be compared between the two groups for each interval from baseline. All proportions of change from baseline are negatively signed to reflect a reduction in the count from baseline, which occurred for both groups on all 3 post-baseline assessment days.

Time frame: 2, 7, and 14 days from baseline

Population: All subjects who had completed one or more of the three assessments during the 14 day post-baseline portion of the study.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Vamousse Spray 'n' GoProportion of Change in Total Number of Live Adult Lice and Nymphs From the BaselineDay 2 proportion of change from baseline-.859 proportion of change in number live liceStandard Deviation 0.225
Vamousse Spray 'n' GoProportion of Change in Total Number of Live Adult Lice and Nymphs From the BaselineDay 7 proportion of change from baseline-.762 proportion of change in number live liceStandard Deviation 0.666
Vamousse Spray 'n' GoProportion of Change in Total Number of Live Adult Lice and Nymphs From the BaselineDay 14 proportion of change from baseline-.926 proportion of change in number live liceStandard Deviation 0.177
Nix Creme Rinse Lice TreatmentProportion of Change in Total Number of Live Adult Lice and Nymphs From the BaselineDay 2 proportion of change from baseline-.564 proportion of change in number live liceStandard Deviation 0.424
Nix Creme Rinse Lice TreatmentProportion of Change in Total Number of Live Adult Lice and Nymphs From the BaselineDay 7 proportion of change from baseline-.549 proportion of change in number live liceStandard Deviation 0.37
Nix Creme Rinse Lice TreatmentProportion of Change in Total Number of Live Adult Lice and Nymphs From the BaselineDay 14 proportion of change from baseline-.691 proportion of change in number live liceStandard Deviation 0.386
Comparison: Null hypothesis: At Day 2 the mean proportion of decrease from Day 0 in the number of live lice in the Vamousse group does not exceed that in the Nix group.~The distribution of the Day 0 to Day 2 change proportions deviated significantly from normality by the Shapiro-Wilk test for both the Vamousse and combined samples. However, the t-test is robust to such departures from normality for samples of this size and was used to compare the two groups on the mean change proportions.p-value: 0.0295% CI: [0.052, 0.537]t-test, 2 sided
Comparison: Null hypothesis: At Day 7 the proportion of decrease from baseline in the number of live lice in the Vamousse group does not exceed that in the Nix group.~The distribution of the Day 0 to Day 7 change proportions deviated significantly from normality by the Shapiro-Wilk test for both the Vamousse and combined samples. However, the t-test is robust to such departures from normality for samples of this size and was used to compare the two groups on their mean change proportions.p-value: 0.33495% CI: [-0.187, 0.543]t-test, 2 sided
Comparison: Null hypothesis: At Day 14 the proportion of decrease from baseline in the number of live lice in the Vamousse group does not exceed that in the Nix group.~The distribution of the Day 0 to Day 14 change proportion deviated significantly from normality by the Shapiro-Wilk test for both the Vamousse and combined samples. However, the t-test is robust to such departures from normality for samples of this size and was used to compare the two groups on the mean change proportions.p-value: 0.03795% CI: [0.016, 0.454]t-test, 2 sided

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026