Malathion is an organophosphate insecticide, an inhibitor of cholinesterase. In low doses (0.5%) malathion is used for treatment of pediculosis and scabies.

Piperonyl butoxide (PBO) is an organic compound used as a component of pesticide formulations. It is a waxy white solid. It is a semisynthetic derivative of safrole. It is used for the treatment of head, pubic (crab), and body lice. Piperonyl butoxide is a synergist. It has no pesticidal activity of its own, but acts to increase the activity of pesticides such as carbamates, pyrethrins, pyrethroids, and rotenone. PBO acts as an insecticide synergist by inhibiting the natural defense mechanisms of the insect, the most important of which is the Mixed Function Oxidase system, also known as the cytochrome P-450 system. The MFO system is the primary route of detoxification in insects, and causes the oxidative breakdown of insecticides like pyrethrins and the synthetic pyrethroids - thus when PBO is added, higher insecticide levels remain in the insect to exercise their lethal effect. An important consequence of this property is that, by enhancing the activity of a given insecticide, less may be used to achieve the same result. PBO does not appear to have a significant effect on the MFO system in humans. Skin Sensitization PBO has a low acute toxicity by oral, inhalation and dermal routes. It is minimally irritating to the eyes and skin. It is a not a dermal sensitizer. No evidence suggests that PBO disrupts the normal functioning of the endocrine system. This includes the recently developed data to assess the possible interaction of PBO with the endocrine system.

Isobornyl thiocyanoacetate (thanite) is an insecticide, used to control ants, houseflies and head lice. Thanite is known to be toxic to fish.

Cypermethrin is a synthetic, pyrethroid insecticide that has high insecticidal activity, low avian and mammalian toxicity. Cypermethrin works by quickly affecting the insect’s central nervous system. The major target site of cypermethrin is the sodium channel of the nerve membrane. A sodium channel exposed to cypermethrin can remain open much longer, even up to several seconds. It is used to control many pests including lepidopterous pests of cotton, fruit, and vegetable crops. In veterinary, it is applied topically for the control of ectoparasites such as ticks, fleas, lice and blowflies.

Bioallethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid with fast knock-down activity against household pest insects. It is used in public health against mosquitoes, houseflies and cockroaches. Bioallethrin is a mixture of two of the allethrin isomers, [1R,trans;1R] and [1R,trans;1S] in an approximate ratio of 1:1. Bioallethrin is used as a component of spray for the treatment of pediculosis.

Spinosad is a natural mixture of pediculicidal tetracyclic macrolides—spinosyn A and spinosyn D in the ratio of 5:1. It is derived from species of actinomycetes bacteria - Saccharopolyspora spinosa and is a bacterial waste product produced by fermentation on a nutrient food source. It has since long been used as a pesticide and classified by the US Environment Protection Agency as a reduced risk pesticide product. Spinosad has a high level of efficacy for lepidopteran larvae, as well as some Diptera, Coleoptera, Thysanoptera, and Hymenoptera, but has limited to no activity to other insects and exhibits low toxicity to mammals and other wildlife. Spinosad overstimulates nerve cells by prolonging electrical impulse across synapses by acting like acetylcholine. After periods of hyperexcitation, lice become paralyzed and die. Recently, FDA has approved the topical suspension of spinosad 0.9% for treatment of head lice infestation in patients four years of age and older. It is both pediculicidal and ovicidal.

Permethrin is a synthetic pyrethrin derivative acts as a neurotoxin by depolarizing the nerve cell membrane. Permethrin disrupts the sodium channel current by which membrane repolarization is regulated resulting in fatal paralysis of the nerves in the exoskeletal respiratory muscles of susceptible arthropods, including lice and mite. Permethrin is sold under brand names NIx and Elimite to treat pediculosis, scabies and demodicidosis.

Permethrin is a synthetic pyrethrin derivative acts as a neurotoxin by depolarizing the nerve cell membrane. Permethrin disrupts the sodium channel current by which membrane repolarization is regulated resulting in fatal paralysis of the nerves in the exoskeletal respiratory muscles of susceptible arthropods, including lice and mite. Permethrin is sold under brand names NIx and Elimite to treat pediculosis, scabies and demodicidosis.

Permethrin is a synthetic pyrethrin derivative acts as a neurotoxin by depolarizing the nerve cell membrane. Permethrin disrupts the sodium channel current by which membrane repolarization is regulated resulting in fatal paralysis of the nerves in the exoskeletal respiratory muscles of susceptible arthropods, including lice and mite. Permethrin is sold under brand names NIx and Elimite to treat pediculosis, scabies and demodicidosis.