permethrin

Also known as (3-Phenoxyphenyl)methyl (+-)-cis,trans-3-(2,2-dichloroethenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate, 3-(2,2-Dichloroethenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid, (3-phenoxyphenyl) methyl ester, Elimite, Nix

Permethrin is a medication and an insecticide. As a medication, it is used to treat scabies and lice. It is applied to the skin as a cream or lotion. As an insecticide, it can be sprayed onto outer clothing or mosquito nets to kill the insects that touch them.

Key facts

Drug.image: Permethrin-2D-skeletal.svg
Drug.image_class: skin-invert-image
Drug.caption: Two-dimensional chemical structure of permethrin
Drug.image2: Permethrin MT 20200909.png
Drug.image_class2: bg-transparent
Drug.caption2: Three-dimensional chemical structure of permethrin
Drug.tradename: Nix, Rid, Elimite, others
Drug.MedlinePlus: a698037
Drug.DailyMedID: Permethrin
Drug.routes_of_administration: Topical
Drug.ATC_prefix: P03
Drug.ATC_suffix: AC04

Article

20 sections

Contents

Uses
Medical use
Insect incapacitation
Insecticide
Pest control
Resistance
Adverse effects
Pharmacology
Mechanism of action
Pharmacokinetics
Chemistry
Stereochemistry
Environment
History
Brand names
Other animals
Cats
Aquatic organisms
References
External links

Side effects include rash and irritation where it is applied. Use during pregnancy appears to be safe, and it is approved for use on and around people over the age of two months in the United States. Permethrin is in the pyrethroid family of medications. It works by disrupting the function of the neurons of lice and scabies mites. Permethrin is highly toxic to cats and fish.