WHO Acute Hazard classification: Class Ib, highly hazardous.

Mechanism of action of Chlorfenvinphos

As all organophosphate insecticides, chlorfenvinphos acts on the nervous system of the parasites (but also of mammals, birds, fish and many organisms!) as inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (also known as AchE), an enzyme that hydrolyzes acetylcholine (Ach). Ach is a molecule involved in the transmission of nervous signals from nerves to muscles (so-called neuromuscular junctions) and between neurons in the brain (so-called cholinergic brain synapses).

AchE's role is to terminate the transmission of nervous signals where Ach is the neurotransmitter (there are several other neurotrasmitters). By inhibiting the activity of AchE, carbamates prevent the termination of those nervous signals, i.e. the neurons remain in constant activity and excitation, massively disturbing the normal movements of the parasites. The bottom line for the parasites is that they are paralyzed and die more or less quickly. Organophosphates bind irreversibly to AchE, in contrast with carbamates, another> chemical class of parasiticides, which bind reversibly to AchE.

Acute Toxicity and Tolerance of Chlorfenvinphos

• LD50 acute, rats, p.o. 9.6 to 39 mg/kg (depending on the studies)
• LD50 acute, mice, p.o. 117 to 200 mg/kg (depending on the studies)
• LD50 acute, guinea-pigs, p.o. 125 to 250 mg/kg (depending on the studies)
• LD50 acute, dogs, p.o. 50.5 to >5000 mg/kg (depending on the studies)
• LD50 acute, rabbits, p.o. 300 to 1000 mg/kg (depending on the studies)
• LD50 acute, rats, dermal 30 to 108 mg/kg (depending on the studies)
• Certain dog breeds (e.g. greyhounds, whippets), cats and certain birds (e.g. geese) and are also more susceptible to chlorfenvinphos.
• Weak or stressed animals are more susceptible.
• Due to the high toxicity of the active ingredient, concentrates (e.g. those for dipping or spraying livestock) are also highly toxic and must be handled with utmost care.

Toxic Symptoms caused by Chlorfenvinphos

• Toxic symptoms caused by organophosphate intoxications are the same as those of carbamates intoxication, but are usually more severe and recovery is slower because organophosphates bind irreversibly to acetylcholinesterase, whereas carbamate binding is reversible.

• Acute intoxication. Is caused by inhibition of the acetylcholinesterase: as a consequence acetylcholine accumulates in the neuromuscular synapses (including those in skeletal, smooth and cardiac muscles), in the neuroglandular connections, and in the CNS (Central Nervous System). This causes hyperexcitation in all the muscarinic and nicotinic cholinergic receptors, which disturbs the normal functioning of the affected organs.
• After accidental ingestion or massive dermal overdose, intoxication follows an acute development. Ingested chlorfenvinphos is vastly and quickly absorbed into blood. The symptoms appear a few minutes to 2 hours after ingestion, often dramatically. If the patient survives the first 24-48 hours, prognosis is favorable.
• Muscarinic symptoms are usually the first to manifest, followed by hyperexcitation of the nicotinic receptors of vegetative ganglions and motor end plates. If the intoxication crosses the blood-brain barrier the CNS becomes hyperexcited as well.

• Main muscarinic symptoms:
• Exocrine glands: salivation (drooling), lacrimation (excessive secretion of tears), sudoration (excessive sweating).
• Eyes: miosis (constriction of the pupil), in swine nystagmus (uncontrolled eye movements).
• Digestive system: nausea, vomit (particularly in dogs), diarrhea, tenesmus (need for imperative defecation), fecal incontinence.
• Cardiovascular system: bradycardia (low heart rate), low blood pressure.
• Respiratory system: bronchoconstriction, bronchospasms, cough, tachypnea (low breathing rate), dispnea (shortness of breath).
• Urinary system: frequent urination.
• Main nicotinic symptoms
• Muscles: anxiety followed by depression, trembling, ataxia (uncoordinated movements), muscular stiffness, generalized muscular spasms, paralysis.
• Main CNS symptoms:
• Lethargy, fatigue, trembling, spasms and coma with respiratory paralysis. Death is mostly a consequence of paralysis of the respiratory muscles, of the inhibition of the respiratory center and of excessive bronchial constriction and secretion. In swine death can follow within 15 to 30 minutes after exposure to the lethal dose.

• Chronic intoxication. In addition to the acute intoxication, some organophosphates can have a delayed neurotoxic effect (so called OPIDN = organophosphorous ester-induced delayed neuropathy), which develops 7 to 21 days after exposure to the toxic dose and appears as weakness, ataxia (uncoordinated movements), proprioceptive dysfunctions (disturbed awareness of posture and movements), particularly of the hind legs, and paralysis. It is due to degeneration of the axons (nerve fibers) of central and peripheral nerve cells, which is species-specific. Depending on which particular organophosphate caused the intoxication, OPIDN is irreversible or allows a slow recovery after several weeks.

• Organophosphate-induced Intermediate Syndrome (IMS) is another possible clinical development observed mainly in dogs and cats (and humans) after massive overdosing with certain organophosphates, including e.g. diazinon, chlorpyrifos, fenthion, malathion, phosmet and trichlorfon. Clinical symptoms include acute paralysis and weakness in several muscles (e.g. neck flexors, proximal limbs, etc.), including respiratory muscles 1 to 4 days after intoxication. Other symptoms include weakness, depression, ptosis (drooping or falling of the lower of upper eyelids), double vision (diplopia), disturbed deep tendon reflexes. These symptoms may last for a few days or several weeks, depending on the compound involved and the dose.

• DIAGNOSIS. An important diagnostic parameter is the global acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity in blood. A drop below 25% of the normal value indicates intoxication with an AchE inhibitor (not necessarily an organophosphate or carbamate pesticide).

Chlorfenvinphos Side Effects, Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) and Warnings

• After slight overdose the following effects have been reported: salivation (drooling), soft feces, frequent urination and defecation, etc.
• Young animals and pregnant dams must be treated with utmost care.
• Chlorfenvinphos should not be administered to animals suffering diarrhea, chronic constipation, colic, convulsions, respiratory, renal and/or cardiac disturbances.
• In case of large skin injuries topical treatment with chlorfenvinphos can lead to excessive cutaneous absorption with development of paraysmpathetic symptoms.
• Certain solvents in the formulation can enhance the toxicity of chlorfenvinphos because they accelerate its cutaneous or mucosal absorption.
• Organophosphates must not be administered together with other acetylcholinesterase inhibitors such as carbamates, levamisole, morantel, pyrantel and neostigmine.
• Depolarising muscle relaxants must not be administered within 10 days following organophosphate administration because they enhance the side effects.
• Chlorfenvinphos must not be administered together with neuroleptic drugs such as phenotiazines.

Antidote and Treatment of Chlorfenvinphos Intoxication

• Atropine (a parasympatholytic drug) is the antidote for the acute muscarinic symptoms, the most dangerous ones. It is an antagonist of acetylcholine in the muscarinic receptors of the nervous system.
• Recommended atropine dosing (one third i.v. the rest s.c.), or otherwise at the physician's discretion:
• Cattle; 0.6 mg/kg
• Sheep: 1.0 mg/kg
• Horses: 0.1 mg/kg
• Dogs: 0.3 mg/kg
• Cats: 0.3 mg/kg
• Atropinization efficacy peaks when the pupils dilate and salivation stops. If necessary treatment can be repeated every 4 to 6 hours up to a max. dose of 6 mg/kg.

• Causal antidotes that act upon the toxic mechanisms can also be used. Pralidoxime (2 to 5 mg/kg i.v.; maybe i.m.) and obidoxime (20 to 100 mg/kg) can reactivate the cholinesterase but not later than 24 hours after ingestion, and treatment should not be repeated more than once or twice. Both should be administered after atropine. Re-treatment not earlier than 20 minutes, usually after 2 hours. WARNING: obidoxime can also act as a cholinesterase inhibitor!
• Symptomatic and support measures may be advisable:
• Breathing support: artificial respiration, aspiration of bronchial secretions, oxygen support
• After oral poisoning: induced vomit (not later than 2 hours after ingestion; contraindicated if the patient is depressed) or stomach lavage, administration of active charcoal or mineral oil.
• After dermal poisoning: rinse the injury with abundant water with alkaline detergent, but without scratching or scrubbing.
• Treatment of acidosis and spasms.
• Administration of electrolytes and multivitamins to support the hepatic metabolism.

Pharmacokinetics of Chlorfenvinphos

• Percutaneous absorption (i.e. through the skin) of topically administered chlorfenvinphos depends on the animal species, the administered dose, and the extension of the treated body surface. Studies in human volunteers showed that up to 30% of the topically administered dose was absorbed through the skin.
• Treated animals can ingest chlorfenvinphos through licking and grooming. Ingested chlorfenvinphos is vastly metabolized and rapidly excreted. In dogs treated orally with chlorfenvinphos ~86% and ~4% was eliminated in urine and feces respectively within 24 hours. In sheep tissues residues were low after topical administration.

Environmental Toxicity of Chlorfenvinphos

• Chlorfenvinphos is highly toxic to birds, fish and aquatic invertebrates. Toxicity increases with temperature.
• Chlorfenvinphos is quite persistent to hydrolysis in aqueous environment. Half-life is ~170 days at pH 6, ~80 days at pH 8. Temperature accelerates hydrolysis. Under field conditions a half-life of 1 to 1.3 years is estimated.
• In aqueous environment chlorfenvinphos binds to soil particles and tends to sediment.
• Chlorfenvinphos is hardly photodegradable.
• Soil bacteria can break down chlorfenvinphos.
• Correctly used on livestock and pets chlorfenvinphos is unlikely to be detrimental for the environment, provided that disposal of old dip wash, product waste and used containers is done according to the label recommendations.

Additional information

Click here for a list and overview of all safety summaries of antiparasitic active ingredients in this site.

• Chlorfenvinphos belongs to the chemical class of the organophosphates.
• Chlorfenvinphos is not used in human medicines.
  
• Chlorfenvinphos is used in crop pesticides.
• Chlorfenvinphos is used in public or domestic hygiene as a biocide.
• Click here for General safety of antiparasitics for domestic animals.
• Click here for General safety of antiparasitics for humans.
• Click here for General safety of antiparasitics for the environment.
• Click here for technical and commercial information on chlorfenvinphos.