Last update Dec. 11, 2023

Bencyl Benzoate

Likely Compatibility

Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.

Benzyl benzoate is one of the oldest preparations used to treat scabies and head and body lice. Because it is very irritating to the skin and mucous membranes (Haustein 1989), alternative treatments are preferred. Topical application all over the skin.

At the time of the last update, we found no published data on its excretion in breast milk.

The degree of plasma absorption through the skin is unknown.

It is metabolized to benzyl alcohol (Fölster 2000), considered probably compatible with breastfeeding by some authors. (Briggs 2015)

Recommendations for Drugs in the Eleventh WHO Model List of Essential Drugs: compatible with Breastfeeding. (WHO 2002)

Product with few bibliographic references and/or very old, marketed in few countries. Safer known alternatives are preferable (Elgart 1996), especially during breastfeeding and more so during the neonatal period and in case of prematurity.

Avoid applying it on the breast or nipple. Otherwise, remove it thoroughly before nursing.

Alternatives

  • Ivermectin (Safe substance and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • Permethrin (Safe substance and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

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Other names

Bencyl Benzoate in other languages or writings:

Group

Bencyl Benzoate belongs to this group or family:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Bencyl Benzoate in its composition:

List of 22 tradenames

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Molecular weight 212 daltons

References

  1. WHO / UNICEF. BREASTFEEDING AND MATERNAL MEDICATION Recommendations for Drugs in the Eleventh WHO Model List of Essential Drugs. Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Development (WHO/UNICEF) 2002 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  2. Fölster-Holst R, Rufli T, Christophers E. [Treatment of scabies with special consideration of the approach in infancy, pregnancy and while nursing]. Hautarzt. 2000 Abstract
  3. Elgart ML. A risk-benefit assessment of agents used in the treatment of scabies. Drug Saf. 1996 Jun;14(6):386-93. Review. Abstract
  4. Haustein UF, Hlawa B. Treatment of scabies with permethrin versus lindane and benzyl benzoate. Acta Derm Venereol. 1989;69(4):348-51. Abstract

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