Monograph: |
Carbaryl
Adverse Effects and Treatment
Carbaryl may be absorbed following ingestion, inhalation, or skin contamination.
Carbaryl has been reported to produce neoplasms in mice and rats and in late 1995 the UK DoH advised that it would be prudent to consider carbaryl as a potential human carcinogen; its medicinal use was limited to prescription only. However, the DoH emphasised that the risk was a theoretical one and that any risk from the intermittent use of head lice preparations was likely to be very small.
Uses and Administration
Carbaryl is a carbamate insecticide. It is used as a 0.5 or 1.0% lotion or shampoo in the treatment of head and pubic pediculosis. Lotions are generally preferred to shampoos as the contact time is longer. Aqueous lotions are preferred to treat pubic lice because alcoholic lotions are irritant to excoriated skin and the genitalia; aqueous lotions may also be preferable in asthmatic subjects or children to avoid alcoholic fumes. Skin or hair treated with an alcohol-based preparation should be allowed to dry naturally.
Carbaryl is also used as a topical ectoparasiticide in veterinary practice and as an agricultural, horticultural, and household insecticide.
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