Piperonyl butoxide is a pesticide used as a potentiator ingredient in the treatment of pediculosis (head lice, body lice or crabs) to boost efficacy of treatment. It has no pesticidal activity of its own, but acts to increase the activity of pesticides such as carbamates, pyrethrins, pyrethroids, and rotenone.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed
Piperonyl butoxide is not a pesticide, but acts as a synergist to increase the activity of pesticides such as carbamates, pyrethrins, pyrethroids, and rotenone. Piperonyl butoxide inhibits the mixed-function oxidase (MFO) system of an insect. The MFO system is the insects natural defense system and causes the oxidative breakdown of insecticides. Thus, by inhibiting this system piperonyl butoxide promotes higher levels of insecticide and allows for lower doses to be used for a lethal effect.
- Primary indication
- For the treatment of head, pubic (crab), and body lice.Curator reviewed · 3 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C19H30O5 · 338.4385 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 1999
- Brand names
Resolves to
FIPWRIJSWJWJAI-UHFFFAOYSA-NSMILESCCCCOCCOCCOCC1=CC2=C(OCO2)C=C1CCCWhat you can answer from here — as of July 06, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Piperonyl butoxide, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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