WHO Acute Hazard classification of pesticides: Class III, slightly hazardous.

Mechanism of action of Dinotefuran

• As other neonicotinoids, dinotefuran is an agonist of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. It takes the place of the normal neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the receptors, which cannot be deactivated by acetylcholinesterase and remains irreversibly blocked. This leads to an over stimulation of the nerve cells, to paralysis and to death of the affected insect.
• These receptors are found in the central and peripheral nervous system of mammals, but only in the central nervous systems of insects. Neonicotinoids bind much more strongly to insect receptors than to mammal receptors. This makes them relatively safe for domestic animals and humans.

Acute Toxicity and Tolerance of Dinotefuran

• LD50 acute, rats, oral 2450 mg/kg
• D50 acute, rabbits, dermal >2000 mg/kg
• As a general rule, dogs and cats tolerate dinotefuran quite well.
• Dinotefuran is slightly irritant to the eyes and the skin.
• Dinotefuran is not carcinogenic, teratogenic or mutagenic.
• Seven repeated dermal administrations of dinotefuran to kittens at 1X, 3X and 5X the recommended dose were well tolerated by the animals. Dry skin as well as soft, loose or liquid feces were reported in some treated kittens bur were of transient character.

Toxic Symptoms caused by Dinotefuran Poisoning, Side Effects, Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) and Warnings

• The primary symptoms of intoxication with dinotefuran and other neonicotinoids resemble nicotine intoxications.
• Mild to moderate poisoning can cause anxiety, behavioral disorders NOS (not otherwise specified), hyperactivity, vocalization, lethargy and anorexia.
• Symptoms appear a few hours after exposure, but depend strongly on the formulation, the dose and the kind of contact (skin, inhalation, ingestion etc).
• As a general rule, young animals are more sensitive to overdosing and react stronger.
• Besides erroneous dosing, overdosing can occur due to excessive licking after spot-on delivery to dogs and cats (particularly in cats due to intense grooming).
• Never use spot-ons for dogs in cats; never use spot-ons for large dogs in small dogs. It happens that some users want to save money buying large tablets or spot-ons for treating smaller dogs (or even cats!) twice or more times. The risk of overdosing is considerable, either due to erroneous calculations or to unskilled manipulation. In addition, dog medicines may sometimes contain other ingredients that are toxic to cats.
• A frequent administration error in dogs is partial administration to small dogs of spot-ons approved for large animals.
• A frequent administration error in cats is partial administration to cats of spot-ons approved only for dogs.

Antidote and Treatment of Dinotefuran Intoxication

• There is no antidote for dinotefuran poisoning.
  
• Treatment consists in preventing further exposure together with supportive and symptomatic measures.
• In case of dermal exposure rinse the skin with abundant water and soft detergents.
• After accidental ingestion stomach lavage as well as administration of active charcoal and laxatives is recommended. Vomiting should not be induced.

Pharmacokinetics of Dinotefuran

• After topical administration to dogs and cats dinotefuran remains mostly on the animal's surface and is not absorbed. However a certain amount can be ingested through licking and grooming.
• In laboratory animals ingested dinotefuran was almost completely absorbed (>90%) quickly distributed throughout the whole body.
• It is also quickly eliminated, 84% to 99% of the ingested dose within 24 hours after absorption, mostly through urine and in the form of unchanged dinotefuran.

Environmental Toxicity of Dinotefuran

• Dinotefuran is nontoxic to birds, mammals, fish and algae, but it is highly toxic to marine/estuarine mysid shrimp.
• Dinotefuran is highly toxic to honey bees by all routes of administration.
• The mean aerobic biodegradation half-life of dinotefuran measured in 2 soils was 81.5 days. If released into water, dinotefuran is not expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment.
• Dinotefuran was stable to hydrolysis over the pH range of 4 to 9, but was rapidly photolyzed in aqueous solution with a half-life of 1.8 days. 
• Potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low.
• Dinotefuran may potentially be present in drinking water, given its high water solubility, high mobility in soils.
• Dinotefuran does not cumulate in the environment or in the food chain.
• Correct use of dinotefuran in dogs and cats is unlikely to result in any significant environmental pollution.

Additional information

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

• Dinotefuran belongs to the chemical class of the neonicotinoids.
• Dinotefuran is not used in human medicines.
  
• Dinotefuran is used in crop pesticides.
• 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 dinotefuran.