Lice (sometimes known as “crabs”) are microscopic insects that cling to the skin on the head, body, or pubic area. Pyrethrin and piperonyl butoxide shampoo is used to treat lice in adults and children 2 years of age and older. The drugs known as pediculicides include pyrethrin and piperonyl butoxide. The method kills lice.

To apply to the skin and hair, pyrethrin and piperonyl butoxide are available as a shampoo. Usually, it takes two or three sessions to apply to both the skin and the hair. Seven to ten days following the first treatment, the second one must be administered. Your doctor may advise that you receive a third treatment in some cases. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions that you do not understand, and carefully follow any instructions listed on the packaging or label for your medication. Apply shampoo containing piperonyl butoxide and pyrethrin exactly as instructed. Use only as suggested on the package label or as your doctor has instructed. Do not use more, less, or more frequently than recommended.

Based on the length of your hair, the box label estimates how much shampoo you’ll need. Use enough shampoo to completely cover your scalp and hair.

Only the skin, hair, and scalp should be treated with pyrethrin and piperonyl butoxide shampoo. Avoid getting shampoo containing piperonyl butoxide and pyrethrin in your mouth, nose, or vagina. Avoid applying it to your eyelashes or eyebrows.

If shampoo containing pyrethrin and piperonyl butoxide gets in your eyes, immediately rinse them with water. Call your doctor or seek immediate medical attention if your eyes are still itchy after rinsing them with water.

Follow these instructions to use the shampoo:

1. Just before using, give the shampoo a good shake to evenly distribute the drug.
2. Cover your face and eyes with a cloth. Keep your eyes closed throughout this procedure. You might need an adult’s assistance to apply the shampoo.
3. To treat dry skin or hair, use a shampoo containing pyrethrin and piperonyl butoxide. Start applying the shampoo if you have head lice at the back of your neck and behind your ears, covering all of the hair on your head and scalp.
4. Only leave the shampoo on for ten minutes. To keep track of the time, you should utilise a timer or clock.
5. Use a tiny amount of warm water to create a lather and shampoo as usual after 10 minutes. Rinse your skin and/or scalp well with warm water.
6. If you have head lice, towel-dry your hair and detangle it.
7. After this treatment, the dead lice and nits (empty eggshells) can be removed with a lice comb. You might also need an adult’s assistance to do this.
8. To kill the lice that emerge from eggs, you must repeat the entire procedure in 7–10 days.

Sanitize all of your recent-use clothing, underwear, pyjamas, hats, sheets, pillowcases, and towels after applying pyrethrin and piperonyl butoxide shampoo. These goods should be dry-cleaned or washed in extremely hot water. Combs, brushes, hair clips, and other personal care products should also be washed in hot water.

For a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient, ask your pharmacist or doctor.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before using pyrethrin and piperonyl butoxide shampoo,

• If you have any allergies, including to pyrethrin, piperonyl butoxide, chrysanthemums, ragweed, other drugs, or any of the chemicals in pyrethrin and piperonyl butoxide shampoo, tell your doctor and pharmacist right away. Request a list of the components from your pharmacist.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products that you are now taking or intend to use.
• If you have or have previously had skin issues, let your doctor know.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while using pyrethrin and piperonyl butoxide shampoo.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

Pyrethrin and piperonyl butoxide shampoo should be reapplied 7 to 10 days following the initial treatment. Call your doctor to discuss your treatment plan if you miss the second appointment.

Side effects from pyrethrin and piperonyl butoxide shampoo are possible. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Skin or scalp region itchiness
• Skin or scalp area that is red

Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if any of these symptoms occur to you:

• Difficulty breathing
• Persistent skin or scalp irritability
• Skin or scalp areas that are infected or pus-filled

Other negative effects could be brought on by pyrethrin and piperonyl butoxide shampoo. If you experience any strange issues while taking this drug, call your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Store it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Call your local poison control centre at 1-800-222-1222 if someone consumes pyrethrin and piperonyl butoxide shampoo. Dial 911 to reach the nearest emergency services if the sufferer has collapsed or has stopped breathing.

Call your doctor if you believe you need extra treatment for lice after using pyrethrin and piperonyl butoxide shampoo.

Ask your pharmacist any inquiries you may have regarding pyrethrin and shampoo containing piperonyl butoxide.

Generally, head-to-head contact or objects that come into contact with your head are how lice are transferred. Combs, brushes, towels, pillows, hats, scarves, and other hair accessories shouldn’t be shared. If a member of your family is receiving treatment for head lice, make sure to check everyone else in your immediate family as well.

Your sexual partner should also be treated if you have pubic lice.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.