Pyrethrins and Piperonyl Butoxide

Pyrethrins and Piperonyl Butoxide Brand Names

A200 Lice Killing | A200 LiceTreatment | Lice Killing Shampoo | Pronto | Pronto Plus | Pronto Shampoo with Conditioner | RID Lice Killing | VanaLice

What is Pyrethrins and Piperonyl Butoxide

Pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide are used in combination in over-the-counter, topical preparations to treat pediculosis (lice) infestations.

Pyrethrins are extracts obtained from flowers of the pyrethrum plant, Chrysanthemum cincerariae folium, which is related to the ragweed plant.

Piperonyl butoxide is a piperic acid derivative that has no pesticidal properties of its own. Piperonyl butoxide inhibits the metabolism of pyrethrins by the lice and subsequently enhances the pyrethrins’ effect.

The addition of piperonyl butoxide may also reduce the development of pyrethrins resistance.

Products containing pyrethrins; piperonyl butoxide are indicated for treating infestations caused by Pediculus capitis (head louse), Pediculus corporis (body louse), and Phthirus pubis (pubic or crab louse).

Pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide is not ovicidal, with 20 to 30% of viable eggs remaining after the first application, necessitating a second treatment 7 to 10 days after the first.

Unlike some of the other pediculicides, such as permethrin and lindane, pyrethrins; piperonyl butoxide is not effective for the treatment of scabies.

Pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide is considered to be one of the first line agents for the treatment of pediculosis (lice) infestations because of its low risk of toxicity. Like most other topical pediculicides, resistance to pyrethrins; piperonyl butoxide has been reported

Indications

1. pediculosis
2. Pediculus capitis
3. Pediculus corporis
4. Phthirus pubis

Side Effects

1. bronchospasm
2. edema
3. erythema
4. infection
5. nausea
6. pruritus
7. seizures
8. skin irritation
9. vomiting

Monitoring Parameters

• laboratory monitoring not necessary

Contraindications

• asthma
• breast-feeding
• children
• infants
• neonates
• ocular exposure
• pregnancy

Interactions

There are no drug interactions associated with Pyrethrins and Piperonyl Butoxide products.