Introduction

Pediculicide; fixed-combination preparation containing pyrethrins (a pediculicide) and piperonyl butoxide (has little or no insecticidal activity but potentiates that of pyrethrins).

Uses for Pyrethrins with Piperonyl Butoxide

Pediculosis

Topical treatment of pediculosis capitis (head lice infestation).

An alternative rather than a preferred treatment for pediculosis capitis. Permethrin 1% generally considered the treatment of choice, and malathion 0.5% is recommended when permethrin resistance is suspected.

Base selection of a pediculicide on efficacy (including both pediculicidal and ovicidal activity), safety, cost, availability, ease of application, age of patient, presence of other scalp infections, patient preference, severity of the infestation, potential for transmission, number of recurrences, and the pattern of resistance in the geographic region.

Topical treatment of pediculosis pubis (pubic lice infestation). Considered a pediculicide of choice by CDC and others for treatment of pediculosis pubis, including in HIV-infected patients.

Topical treatment of pediculosis corporis (body lice infestation). In some cases, body louse infestations may be treated by improved hygiene and by decontaminating clothes and bedding by washing at temperatures that kill lice. If the infestation is severe, a pediculicide should also be used (e.g., topical permethrin, topical pyrethrins with piperonyl butoxide, topical malathion, oral ivermectin).

One of several options recommended for treatment of pediculosis corporis in the adjunctive treatment of epidemic (louse-borne) typhus. The causative agent of epidemic typhus (Rickettsia prowazekii) is transmitted person-to-person by Pediculus humanus corporis and thorough delousing (especially among exposed contacts of individuals with typhus) is recommended in epidemic situations.

Scabies

Not effective for treatment of scabies (mite infestation).

Pyrethrins with Piperonyl Butoxide Dosage and Administration

General

Measures to Avoid Reinfestation and Transmission

• To avoid reinfestation or transmission of pediculosis or scabies, most experts recommend that clothing and bed linen that may have been contaminated by the infested individual during the 2 days prior to treatment should be decontaminated (machine-washed in hot water and dried in a hot dryer, dry-cleaned, or treated with an appropriate pesticide) or removed from body contact for ≥72 hours.

• Although it may not be necessary, items that cannot be laundered or dry-cleaned should be removed from contact and sealed in a plastic bag for 10–14 days.

• Combs and brushes used by the infected patient may be disinfected by soaking in hot water (temperature >54°C) for 5–10 minutes; alternatively, they can be soaked in alcohol or a pediculicide for 1 hour.

• Furniture and floors of rooms inhabited by patients infested with lice should be thoroughly vacuumed. Fumigation of living areas is not necessary and is not recommended.

• In the treatment of pediculosis capitis (head lice infestation), a fine-toothed comb often is recommended to remove any remaining nits (eggs) or nit shells. Some experts do not consider nit removal necessary since only live lice can be transmitted, but recommend it for aesthetic reasons and to decrease diagnostic confusion and unnecessary retreatment. Others strongly recommend removal of nits (especially those within 1 cm of the scalp) since no pediculicide is 100% ovicidal and potentially viable nits may remain on the hair after pediculicide treatment. Although many schools will not allow children with nits to attend, AAP and other experts consider these no-nit policies excessive.

Administration

Topical Administration

Apply topically, usually as a shampoo containing 0.33% pyrethrins and 4% piperonyl butoxide.

For external use only. Do not administer orally and do not apply to mucous membranes (e.g., inside the nose, mouth, or vagina).

Do not apply to eyebrows or eyelashes and avoid contact with eyes. Eyes should be closed tightly and covered with a soft towel or washcloth while the shampoo is applied to scalp hair or washed off.

Shake containers of pyrethrins with piperonyl butoxide before using.

Dosage

Pediatric Patients

Pediculosis

Pediculosis Capitis (Head Lice Infestation) or Pediculosis Corporis (Body Lice Infestation)

Apply to dry scalp hair or other affected areas in an amount sufficient to thoroughly wet the area. If treating head lice, first apply behind ears and to back of neck. After 10 minutes, add warm water to form a good lather, wash, and thoroughly rinse with water until all lather is gone. Dry the hair with a clean towel and comb with a fine tooth comb to remove any remaining nits.

One treatment may be successful, but treatment should be repeated after 7–10 days to kill any newly hatched lice. Do no use more than twice in 24 hours.

Adults

Pediculosis

Pediculosis Capitis (Head Lice Infestation) or Pediculosis Corporis (Body Lice Infestation)

Apply to dry scalp hair or other affected areas in an amount sufficient to thoroughly wet the area. If treating head lice, first apply behind ears and to back of neck. After 10 minutes, add warm water to form a good lather, wash, and thoroughly rinse with water until all lather is gone. Dry the hair with a clean towel and comb with a fine tooth comb to remove any remaining nits.

One treatment may be successful, but treatment should be repeated after 7–10 days to kill any newly hatched lice. Do not use more than twice in 24 hours.

Pediculosis Pubis (Pubic Lice Infestation)

Apply to the pubic area. After 10 minutes, rinse off with water.

CDC recommends reevaluating the patient 1 week after treatment if symptoms persist; retreatment may be necessary if lice or eggs are found. Some clinicians recommend routine retreatment 7–10 days after initial treatment. If retreatment is necessary, CDC recommends use of an alternative regimen.

Contraindications

• Known hypersensitivity or intolerance to any ingredient in the formulation.

Warnings/Precautions

Sensitivity Reactions

Asthmatic Episodes

May cause breathing difficulty or an asthmatic episode in susceptible individuals.

Use with caution in individuals allergic to ragweed.

Discontinue use and contact a clinician if breathing difficulties occur.

Contact Dermatitis

Pyrethrins may be contact allergens; sensitization characterized by dermatitis may be due to impurities from the pyrethrum flowers.

Commercially available preparations of pyrethrins are refined, and only mild skin sensitization has been reported.

General Precautions

Administration Precautions

Avoid contact with the eyes since ocular irritation may occur. Do not use for treatment of pediculosis of the eyebrows or eyelashes.

If accidental contact with the eyes occurs, the affected eye(s) should be flushed thoroughly with water. If eye irritation occurs, discontinue use and contact a clinician.

Avoid contact with mucous membranes (e.g., inside the nose, mouth, or vagina) since irritation may occur.

Dermatologic Reactions

Local irritation or erythema may occur.

If skin irritation or infection occurs, discontinue use and contact a clinician.

Do not use on acutely inflamed skin or raw, weeping surfaces.

Specific Populations

Pregnancy

CDC considers pyrethrins with piperonyl butoxide a pediculicide of choice when treatment is considered necessary in a pregnant woman.

Pregnant women should consult a clinician before self-medicating with pyrethrins with piperonyl butoxide

Lactation

Not known whether distributed into milk. CDC considers pyrethrins with piperonyl butoxide a pediculicide of choice when treatment is considered necessary in a lactating woman.

Lactating women should consult a clinician before self-medicating with pyrethrins with piperonyl butoxide.

Pediatric Use

Should not be used in children <2 years of age unless directed by a clinician.

Keep out of reach of children.

Common Adverse Effects

Local irritation (erythema, pruritus, urticaria, edema, eczema).

General

Measures to Avoid Reinfestation and Transmission

• To avoid reinfestation or transmission of pediculosis or scabies, most experts recommend that clothing and bed linen that may have been contaminated by the infested individual during the 2 days prior to treatment should be decontaminated (machine-washed in hot water and dried in a hot dryer, dry-cleaned, or treated with an appropriate pesticide) or removed from body contact for ≥72 hours.

• Although it may not be necessary, items that cannot be laundered or dry-cleaned should be removed from contact and sealed in a plastic bag for 10–14 days.

• Combs and brushes used by the infected patient may be disinfected by soaking in hot water (temperature >54°C) for 5–10 minutes; alternatively, they can be soaked in alcohol or a pediculicide for 1 hour.

• Furniture and floors of rooms inhabited by patients infested with lice should be thoroughly vacuumed. Fumigation of living areas is not necessary and is not recommended.

• In the treatment of pediculosis capitis (head lice infestation), a fine-toothed comb often is recommended to remove any remaining nits (eggs) or nit shells. Some experts do not consider nit removal necessary since only live lice can be transmitted, but recommend it for aesthetic reasons and to decrease diagnostic confusion and unnecessary retreatment. Others strongly recommend removal of nits (especially those within 1 cm of the scalp) since no pediculicide is 100% ovicidal and potentially viable nits may remain on the hair after pediculicide treatment. Although many schools will not allow children with nits to attend, AAP and other experts consider these no-nit policies excessive.

Administration

Topical Administration

Apply topically, usually as a shampoo containing 0.33% pyrethrins and 4% piperonyl butoxide.

For external use only. Do not administer orally and do not apply to mucous membranes (e.g., inside the nose, mouth, or vagina).

Do not apply to eyebrows or eyelashes and avoid contact with eyes. Eyes should be closed tightly and covered with a soft towel or washcloth while the shampoo is applied to scalp hair or washed off.

Shake containers of pyrethrins with piperonyl butoxide before using.

Dosage

Pediatric Patients

Pediculosis

Pediculosis Capitis (Head Lice Infestation) or Pediculosis Corporis (Body Lice Infestation)

Apply to dry scalp hair or other affected areas in an amount sufficient to thoroughly wet the area. If treating head lice, first apply behind ears and to back of neck. After 10 minutes, add warm water to form a good lather, wash, and thoroughly rinse with water until all lather is gone. Dry the hair with a clean towel and comb with a fine tooth comb to remove any remaining nits.

One treatment may be successful, but treatment should be repeated after 7–10 days to kill any newly hatched lice. Do no use more than twice in 24 hours.

Adults

Pediculosis

Pediculosis Capitis (Head Lice Infestation) or Pediculosis Corporis (Body Lice Infestation)

Apply to dry scalp hair or other affected areas in an amount sufficient to thoroughly wet the area. If treating head lice, first apply behind ears and to back of neck. After 10 minutes, add warm water to form a good lather, wash, and thoroughly rinse with water until all lather is gone. Dry the hair with a clean towel and comb with a fine tooth comb to remove any remaining nits.

One treatment may be successful, but treatment should be repeated after 7–10 days to kill any newly hatched lice. Do not use more than twice in 24 hours.

Pediculosis Pubis (Pubic Lice Infestation)

Apply to the pubic area. After 10 minutes, rinse off with water.

CDC recommends reevaluating the patient 1 week after treatment if symptoms persist; retreatment may be necessary if lice or eggs are found. Some clinicians recommend routine retreatment 7–10 days after initial treatment. If retreatment is necessary, CDC recommends use of an alternative regimen.