Piperonyl butoxide with pyrethrins poisoning

Piperonyl butoxide with pyrethrins is an ingredient found in medicines to kill lice. Poisoning occurs when someone swallows the product or too much of the product touches the skin.

This article is for information only. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual poison exposure. If you or someone you are with has an exposure, call your local emergency number (such as 911), or your local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States.

Poisonous Ingredient

The ingredients include:

• Piperonyl butoxide
• Pyrethrins

The poisonous ingredients may go by other names.

Where Found

Examples of products that contain piperonyl butoxide with pyrethrins include:

• A-200
• Barc (also contains petroleum distillates)
• Lice-Enz Foam Kit
• Pronto
• Pyrinex (also contains petroleum distillates)
• Pyrinyl (also contains kerosene)
• Pyrinyl II
• R & C spray
• Rid (also contains petroleum distillates and benzyl alcohol)
• Tisit
• Tisit Blue (also contains petroleum distillates)
• Triple X Kit (also contains petroleum distillates)

Products with other names may also contain piperonyl butoxide with pyrethrins.

Symptoms

Symptoms of poisoning from these products include:

• Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, wheezing

  Difficulty breathing

  Breathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathing Uncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough air

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• Eye irritation if it touches the eyes

  Eye irritation

  Eye burning with discharge is burning, itching, or drainage from the eye of any substance other than tears.

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• Muscle weakness
• Convulsions, tremors

  Convulsions

  A seizure is the physical changes in behavior that occurs during an episode of specific types of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The term ...

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• Nausea and vomiting
• Rash (allergic reaction)

  Allergic reaction

  Allergic reactions are sensitivities to substances called allergens that come into contact with the skin, nose, eyes, respiratory tract, and gastroin...

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• Salivating more than usual
• Sneezing
• Chest pain
• Coma

  Coma

  Decreased alertness is a state of reduced awareness and is often a serious condition. A coma is the most severe state of decreased alertness from whi...

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Home Care

Seek medical help right away. Do not make a person throw up unless poison control or a health care provider tells you to. If the chemical is in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes.

Before Calling Emergency

Have this information ready:

• The person's age, weight, and condition
• Name of the product (ingredients and strength, if known)
• Time it was swallowed
• The amount swallowed

Poison Control

Your local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

Your provider will measure and monitor your vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated. The person may receive:

• Cleaning of exposed skin
• Washing and examination of eyes as needed
• Treatment of allergic reactions as needed

If the poison was swallowed, tests may include:

• Blood and urine tests
• Chest x-ray
• CT scan (advanced imaging) of the brain for neurologic symptoms
• Electrocardiogram (ECG)

  Electrocardiogram

  An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.

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Treatment may include:

• Activated charcoal
• Breathing support, including oxygen, tube through the mouth into the lungs, and breathing machine (ventilator)
• Fluids through a vein (IV)
• Laxative
• Medicines to treat symptoms

Outlook (Prognosis)

Most symptoms are seen in people who are allergic to pyrethrins. Piperonyl butoxide is not very toxic, but extreme exposures may result in more severe symptoms.