Benzyl benzoate

Benzyl benzoate is an antiparasitic agent used topically.

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Indications Benzyl benzoate

Indications for the use of this drug are pediculosis and scabies.

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Release form

It is produced as a cream, in a tube of 40 or 80 g. One package contains 1 tube.

Other names are Benzyl benzoate grindex ointment and Benzyl benzoate-darnitsa.

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Pharmacodynamics

The active component has a toxic effect on the scabies mite, and along with it on all types of lice (they die after 2-5 hours, and the mites - after 7-32 minutes). The medicine penetrates the chitinous shell and begins to accumulate inside the tick's body, acquiring a toxic concentration. Under its influence, adult mites die, as well as their larvae. But the drug does not affect the parasite eggs.

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Dosing and administration

25% Benzyl benzoate cream should be used locally. During one treatment, 10-15 g of the medicine should be applied. Children are allowed to apply the product to any area of the skin, but adults should not apply the cream to the face and head under the hair.

In the process of eliminating scabies, before using the medicine, you should take a shower (hot), using soap that removes crusts with scales. This soap should be completely washed off, then wiped dry, and then carry out the treatment procedure (it is recommended to do it in the evening, before going to bed). During the treatment of scabies, the body should be treated in the following sequence: arms in turn, then the body (except for the face, as well as the skin under the hair), and then the legs and soles with toes. It is not recommended to rub the medicine into areas with sensitive epidermis (genital and groin areas, as well as mammary glands), as well as in case of dermatitis, eczema or pyoderma. After the procedure, you can not wash your hands for 3 hours. Sometimes, after the medicine dries (usually after 1 hour), another layer of the medicine is applied. After the procedure, the patient needs to put on clean clothes, and change the bed linen. After 24-48 hours, you need to take a shower and change your bedding and clothes again. The treatment should be carried out for 2 weeks (4 times, with an interval of 3-4 days). During the course of treatment, about 60-90 g of the medicine is used.

To eliminate scabies in children under 5 years of age, immediately before the start of treatment, dilute the cream with boiled water at a warm temperature (30-35°C) in proportions of 1:1, and then stir until an emulsion of uniform consistency is obtained. The procedure is usually performed without a preliminary warm bath, twice a day with an interval of 12 hours.

To eliminate crusted scabies, it is necessary to remove crusts from the skin before the procedure, using keratolytic drugs. The duration of the treatment course is calculated in accordance with the dynamics of cleansing the skin surface, the disappearance of itching, and the completion of the relief of the inflammation.

To get rid of pediculosis, the medicine is gently rubbed into the skin under the hair, after which the head is tied with a scarf. After half an hour, the cream should be washed off under running water, and then rinse the hair in a warm vinegar solution (5%). After completing these procedures, wash the hair with shampoo or soap, and begin combing out the nits (use a fine-toothed comb).

In the process of treating pubic pediculosis, it is necessary to rub the medicine into the abdomen, pubis, inner thigh surface, and also into the groin folds. The effectiveness of the procedure is checked after 24 hours. If necessary, it is worth repeating the treatment.

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Use Benzyl benzoate during pregnancy

The medicine should not be used by pregnant women. In case of treatment during lactation, breastfeeding should be stopped.

Contraindications

Among the contraindications of the drug:

• high sensitivity to benzyl benzoate, as well as other elements of the drug;
• the presence of damage to the skin (including pustular lesions of the skin);
• children under 3 years of age.

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Side effects Benzyl benzoate

After rubbing the cream into the skin, a burning sensation may occur, which disappears with further use of the product. Occasionally, people with sensitive skin may experience local reactions - itching, burning, dryness or redness in the area that was treated with the medicine, and in addition, the development of allergies.

If the side effects described above do not go away on their own, you should stop using the cream.

According to observations, the sensitivity of the epidermis increases most in the genital area, as well as in places where the skin has been damaged.

Occasionally, contact dermatitis develops. Because the cream contains propylene glycol, skin irritation may develop.

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Overdose

Overdose may result in increased side effects (for example, signs of contact dermatitis).

Due to accidental ingestion of the cream or when applying it in too large quantities, in addition to the above symptoms, sudden loss of consciousness, delayed urination, and stimulation of the central nervous system (the appearance of convulsions, including in children) may also be observed.

Therapy involves eliminating the symptoms of the disorder. In addition, the skin surface should be cleared of the drug. If the cream was swallowed, gastric lavage should be performed and the patient should be given activated carbon. If necessary, anticonvulsants are also prescribed.

If a local allergic reaction to the cream occurs, it must be washed off the skin with soap and water.

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Interactions with other drugs

There is no drug interaction between Benzyl benzoate and other drugs, but, like other antiparasitic drugs, it is prohibited to combine it with other drugs for external use.

With systemic or local use of corticosteroids, the disappearance or reduction of the severity of individual symptoms (such as itching or hyperemia) is possible, while the invasion remains - because of this, it is necessary to temporarily stop using such drugs during the period of using the cream.

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Storage conditions

The medicine is kept out of reach of children, under standard storage conditions. Temperature – maximum 25°C.

Special instructions

Benzyl benzoate emulsion (20%) is used as a treatment against scabies, demodicosis, rosacea, and also against the oily form of seborrhea, versicolor lichen and pediculosis.

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Shelf life

Benzyl benzoate in the form of a cream can be used for 3 years, the emulsion – no more than 2 years, and Benzyl benzoate grindex ointment – for 2.5 years.