What is piperonyl butoxide and pyrethrins topical?
Piperonyl butoxide and pyrethrins are insecticide chemicals.
Piperonyl butoxide and pyrethrins topical (for the skin) is used to treat lice.
Piperonyl butoxide and pyrethrins topical may also be used for other purposes not listed in
this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking piperonyl butoxide and pyrethrins topical?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to piperonyl butoxide and
pyrethrins topical, or if you have an allergy to chrysanthemums or ragweed.
Piperonyl butoxide and pyrethrins topical is not expected to be harmful to an unborn
baby. However, as with any medication, you should ask your doctor before using piperonyl
butoxide and pyrethrins topical if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
Piperonyl butoxide and pyrethrins passes into breast milk, and may cause harm to a
nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
baby.
How should I take piperonyl butoxide and pyrethrins topical?
Use this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use it in larger amounts
or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Check for signs of lice on all household members. They may also need to be treated for
lice. Lice can be spread from person to person by sharing a hairbrush, a comb, hats, or
headbands. It can also be spread through head-to-head contact.
Apply the shampoo form of this medication to dry hair. Wetting the hair first may make
the medication less effective. Apply the shampoo to all areas of the scalp, including behind the
ears and neck. Treat hair from the roots to the ends and leave the shampoo in the hair for 10
minutes. Add warm water to form a lather and shampoo. Then rinse thoroughly with warm
water. Piperonyl butoxide and pyrethrins shampoo is usually used once every 7 to 10 days.
You may need to use a larger amount of the shampoo if you have long hair. Follow the
directions on the product label.
Keep your eyes tightly closed while using the shampoo, foam, or spray, and while
rinsing it out of your hair. You may use a washcloth or towel to protect your eyes while applying
the medication to your head.
Do not apply this medication to your eyebrows or eyelashes. Call your doctor if these
areas become infected with lice.
Avoid inhaling the vapors from this medication. Use in a well-ventilated area.
You will need to remove any eggs (nits) from the hair shafts with a special comb. Some
piperonyl butoxide and pyrethrins products come provided with a nit comb. If you do not have
such a comb, ask your pharmacist where you can get one. Nits may not be removed effectively
with a regular fine-tooth comb.
Use this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve
before the lice infestation is completely cleared. Call your doctor if your condition does not
improve, or if your symptoms get worse while using this medication.
To prevent reinfection with lice, wash all clothing, hats, bed linens, stuffed toys, hair
brushes, and combs in hot water with a strong cleanser to remove any mites or eggs. You may
need to use a special lice control spray to treat furniture, mattresses, sports helmets, headphones,
and other non-washable items. Ask your doctor of pharmacist about disinfecting your home.
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the
medicine canister away from open flame or high heat. The canister may explode if it gets too
hot. Do not puncture or incinerate the can, the contents are under pressure.
What happens if I miss a dose of piperonyl butoxide and pyrethrins topical?
Use the missed dose as soon as you remember.
Do not
use extra
medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about piperonyl butoxide and pyrethrins topical?
Your pharmacist has information about piperonyl butoxide and pyrethrins topical written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of piperonyl butoxide and pyrethrins topical?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using piperonyl butoxide and pyrethrins and call your doctor at once if you have
severe stinging, burning, itching, swelling, or irritation where the medication is applied.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
mild itching, burning, or stinging;
-
mild skin rash; or
-
numbness or tingly feeling.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about piperonyl butoxide and pyrethrins topical?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to piperonyl butoxide and
pyrethrins, or if you have an allergy to chrysanthemums or ragweed.
Check all household members for signs of lice. Lice can be spread from person to person
by sharing a hairbrush, a comb, hats, or headbands. It can also be spread through head-to-head
contact.
Use this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve
before the lice infestation is completely cleared. Call your doctor if your condition does not
improve, or if your symptoms get worse while using this medication.
Stop using piperonyl butoxide and pyrethrins and call your doctor at once if you have
severe stinging, burning, itching, swelling, or irritation where the medication is applied.
To prevent reinfection with lice, wash all clothing, hats, bed linens, stuffed toys, hair
brushes, and combs in hot water with a strong cleanser to remove any mites or eggs. You may
need to use a special lice control spray to treat furniture, mattresses, sports helmets, headphones,
and other non-washable items. Ask your doctor of pharmacist about disinfecting your home.
What should I avoid while taking piperonyl butoxide and pyrethrins topical?
Do not apply other topical medications or skin products to the same areas you treat with
piperonyl butoxide and pyrethrins topical, unless your doctor has told you to.
Avoid getting this medication in your eyes, nose, mouth, or vagina. If it does get into
any of these areas, rinse with water. Do not use piperonyl butoxide and pyrethrins topical on
sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped, irritated, or broken skin.
Avoid close contact with others until the infection has been cured. Also avoid sharing hair
combs, hair accessories, hats, clothing, bed linens, pillows, and other items of personal use. Lice
infestations are highly contagious.
What other drugs will affect piperonyl butoxide and pyrethrins topical?
It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on topically
applied piperonyl butoxide and pyrethrins. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell
your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals,
herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without
telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of piperonyl butoxide and pyrethrins topical?
