Last update April 17, 2016

Permethrin

Very Low Risk

Safe. Compatible. Minimal risk for breastfeeding and infant.

Topical pyrethroid pesticide that shows activity against louses, mites and scabies.
About 2% of the dose is absorbed through the skin.
Do not apply it on the breast, otherwise, clean it thoroughly before feeding at the breast.

Permethrin is considered the treatment of choice for scabies in nursing mothers.

Permethrin is found in milk samples from women in regions in which it is used massively for agricultural purposes or malaria control. Notwithstanding, limits were found to be below those permitted by the WHO.

WHO List of Essential Medicines 2002 states it is compatible with breastfeeding.

Alternatives

We do not have alternatives for Permethrin since it is relatively safe.

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.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

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Thank you for helping to protect and promote breastfeeding.

José María Paricio, founder of e-lactancia.
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Other names

Permethrin in other languages or writings:

Group

Permethrin belongs to this group or family:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Permethrin in its composition:

List of 24 tradenames

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Oral Bioavail. Dermat: < 2 %
Molecular weight 391 daltons

References

  1. Mamane A, Raherison C, Tessier JF, Baldi I, Bouvier G. Environmental exposure to pesticides and respiratory health. Eur Respir Rev. 2015 Abstract
  2. Butler DC, Heller MM, Murase JE. Safety of dermatologic medications in pregnancy and lactation: Part II. Lactation. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014 Mar;70(3):417.e1-10; quiz 427. Abstract
  3. Corcellas C, Feo ML, Torres JP, Malm O, Ocampo-Duque W, Eljarrat E, Barceló D. Pyrethroids in human breast milk: occurrence and nursing daily intake estimation. Environ Int. 2012 Oct 15;47:17-22. Abstract
  4. Weldon RH, Barr DB, Trujillo C, Bradman A, Holland N, Eskenazi B. A pilot study of pesticides and PCBs in the breast milk of women residing in urban and agricultural communities of California. J Environ Monit. 2011 Abstract
  5. Pérez JL, Carranza C, Mateos F. Antiparasitarios. Revisión de los fármacos útiles en el tratamiento de parasitosis clásicas y emergentes. \ [Antiparasitic drugs. Review of the useful drugs in the treatment of classic and emergent parasitic diseases]. Rev Esp Quimioter. 2009 Jun;22(2):93-105. Review. Spanish. Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  6. ABM - Comité de protocolos de la Academia médica de lactancia materna (Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine). Protocolo Clínico de la ABM #6: Lineamientos sobre la práctica de dormir al bebé junto con la madre y la lactancia materna Revisión, marzo de 2008. Breastfeeding Medicine 2008 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  7. Leachman SA, Reed BR. The use of dermatologic drugs in pregnancy and lactation. Dermatol Clin. 2006 Abstract
  8. Bouwman H, Sereda B, Meinhardt HM. Simultaneous presence of DDT and pyrethroid residues in human breast milk from a malaria endemic area in South Africa. Environ Pollut. 2006 Abstract
  9. Porto I. Antiparasitic drugs and lactation: focus on anthelmintics, scabicides, and pediculicides. J Hum Lact. 2003 Abstract
  10. 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 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  11. [No authors listed] Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines 2002. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2002 Abstract
  12. [No authors listed] National guideline for the management of scabies. Clinical Effectiveness Group (Association of Genitourinary Medicine and the Medical Society for the Study of Venereal Diseases). Sex Transm Infect. 1999 Abstract

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