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Diethyltoluamide  (Topical)

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Brand Names

In the U.S.—

  • Backwoods Cutter
  • Cutter Pleasant Protection
  • Deep Woods OFF!
  • Deep Woods OFF! For Sportsmen
  • Muskol
  • OFF!
  • OFF! For Maximum Protection
  • OFF! Skintastic
  • OFF! Skintastic For Children
  • OFF! Skintastic For Kids
  • Ultra Muskol

In Canada—

  • Deep Woods OFF!
  • Muskol
  • OFF!
  • OFF! For Maximum Protection
  • OFF! Skintastic

Other commonly used names are DEET; m-DET.

Category


Description

Diethyltoluamide (dye-eth-il-toe-LOO-a-mide) is an insect repellent used to keep insects away. This product is effective against mosquitoes, biting flies (gnats, sandflies, deer flies, stable flies, black flies), ticks, harvest mites, and fleas.

Diethyltoluamide is available without a prescription in the following dosage forms:



Before Using This Medicine

If you are using this product without a prescription, carefully read and follow any precautions on the label. For diethyltoluamide, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to diethyltoluamide. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy—Diethyltoluamide has not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in animals have shown that diethyltoluamide is passed on to the offspring. One animal study has shown diethyltoluamide to cause death of the fetus. Before using diethyltoluamide, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding—Diethyltoluamide has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Children—Children may be at increased risk of side effects because of increased absorption of diethyltoluamide through their skin. Use only products that have low amounts of diethyltoluamide and apply it sparingly to the exposed skin of children.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines and products should not be used together at all, in other cases two different products may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are using any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.



Proper Use of This Medicine

Diethyltoluamide is for external use only.

For safe and effective use, read the directions on the label before using any diethyltoluamide-containing preparations.

Use a product that contains low amounts (less than 30%) of diethyltoluamide and apply it sparingly. Use just enough to cover the exposed area(s) of the skin. One application using a product that contains low amounts of diethyltoluamide will last about 4 to 8 hours.

If you are applying this product on your face, keep it away from your eyes, lips, or the inside of your nose. If you accidentally get some in your eyes or onto your lips or the inside of your nose, immediately rinse these areas with plenty of water. Check with your doctor if irritation, especially of your eyes, continues. If you are using an aerosol or spray form, do not spray it directly on your face. Instead, spray the palm of your hand and rub the repellent on, spreading it carefully on your face.

Do not apply this product to wounds or irritated or broken skin. To do so may increase the chance of absorption through the skin and the chance of unwanted effects. Apply sparingly onto skin folds because increased irritation is more likely to occur in these areas.

Wear long sleeves and long pants when possible and apply the repellent to clothing (shirts, pants, socks, and hats) instead of your skin to lessen exposure of your skin to diethyltoluamide. Do not apply it under clothing. (Diethyltoluamide will not damage clothing materials, such as cotton, wool, or nylon. However, it may damage acetate, rayon, spandex, or some other synthetic materials.) Wash treated clothing after use or when protection is no longer needed.

Read the label very carefully to see if the product contains alcohol. Alcohol is flammable and can catch on fire. Do not use any product containing alcohol near a fire or open flame, or while smoking. Also, do not smoke after applying one of these products and do not expose your treated skin to fire or open flame until the diethyltoluamide on your skin has completely dried. In addition, keep your treated clothing away from fire, open flame, or smoke.

Do not keep the repellent on your skin any longer than necessary. Once it is not needed, or after you return indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water.

Do not use the product on or near furniture, plastics, watch crystals, leather, or painted or varnished surfaces, including automobiles, because diethyltoluamide may damage these materials.

To use the liquid or lotion forms of diethyltoluamide:

To use the topical aerosol or topical spray forms of diethyltoluamide:

To use the towelette form of diethyltoluamide:

Dosing—

Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average dose of diethyltoluamide.

Storage—

To store this product:


Precautions While Using This Medicine

Avoid breathing in diethyltoluamide.

Do not apply this product to the hands of young children. After applying this product to the skin of children, watch the children carefully to make sure that they do not get any of the repellent into their eyes or mouth. Do not apply the product under the diapers. Discourage children from licking the area of application. Diethyltoluamide can cause serious side effects, especially in children, if it gets into the mouth or is swallowed.

If you think that a side effect has occurred after application of this product, wash the treated skin and check with your doctor . Take the container of diethyltoluamide with you for the doctor to see.


Side Effects of This Medicine

Side Effects of This Product

Along with its needed effects, diethyltoluamide may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.



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