WHO Acute Hazard classification: Class Ib, highly hazardous.
- As all organophosphate insecticides, dichlorvos (also called DDVP) acts on the nervous system of the parasites (but also of mammals, birds, fish and many other 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.
- LD50 acute, rats, p.o. 25 to 80 mg/kg (depending on the studies)
- LD50 acute, mice, p.o. 61 to 175 mg/kg (depending on the studies)
- LD50 acute, rats, dermal 70 to 250 mg/kg (depending on the studies)
- LD50 acute, chickens, p.o. 15 mg/kg
- LD50 acute, pigs, p.o. 157 mg/kg
- LD50 acute, rabbits, p.o. 11 to 13 mg/kg (depending on the studies)
- LD50 acute, dogs, p.o. 100 to 1090 mg/kg (depending on the studies)
- LD50 acute, calves, p.o. 10 mg/kg
- LD50 acute, sheep, p.o. 25 mg/kg
- The safety margin for oral administration is very low, no more than 3.
- Topical administration of dichlorvos is less problematic and usually well tolerated by pets and livestock.
- In the past dichlorvos was also used as an oral anthelmintic. For this use, dichlorvos has a very narrow safety margin (<3). This anthelmintic use has been vastly abandoned.
- Weak animals, certain dog breeds(e.g. greyhounds), cats and certain birds (e.g. geese) and are also more susceptible to dichlorvos.
- 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 dichlorvos 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.
- Usually muscarinic symptoms are 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).
- Pathological examination of dogs that died quickly after dichlorvos intoxication showed strong pulmonary damage: general congestion, hyperemia (increased blood flow) and bronchoconstriction. In dogs that died slower cardiovascular disturbances were also found, particularly extensive hemorrhage.
- Due to its rapid metabolism, recovery in animals that do not die from dichlorvos intoxications is often faster than with other organophosphates.
- After slight overdose the following effects have been reported: salivation (drooling), stiff walking, vomit and depression.
- Diazinon-impregnated collars for dogs and cats can cause local skin irritation.
- In case of large skin injuries topical treatment with dichlorvos can lead to excessive cutaneous absorption with development of paraysmpathetic symptoms.
- Organophosphates must not be administered together with other acetylcholinesterase inhibitors such as carbamates, levamisole, morantel, pyrantel and neostigmine.
- Certain solvents in the formulation can enhance the toxicity of dichlorvos because they accelerate its cutaneous or mucosal absorption.
- Depolarising muscle relaxants must not be administered within 10 days following organophosphate administration because they enhance the side effects.
- Dichlorvos must not be administered together with neuroleptic drugs such as phenotiazines.
- 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.
- Percutaneous absorption (i.e. through the skin) of topically administered dichlorvos depends on the animal species, the administered dose, and the extension of the treated body surface.
- Due to its volatility dichlorvos is easier absorbed through the skin or after inhalation than most other organophosphates. However, once absorbed into blood it is very quickly metabolized in the liver to less toxic compounds and very rapidly excreted through urine. Maximum plasma concentrations are detected about 2 hours after administration. Half-life in blood is shorter than 15 minutes.
- Dichlorvos is highly toxic to birds, fish and aquatic invertebrates.
- Dichlorvos is not very persistent in the environment. Half-life in soil is ~7 days, but depends strongly on PH. In alkaline soil or water it breaks down quickly, but in acid environment it takes 10 times longer to degrade.
- In aqueous environment hydrolysis depends on pH. Half-life ranges e.g. from 80 hours at pH=4, to 20 houres at pH=9.
- Dichlorvos is susceptible to biodegradation
- Dichlorvos does not bind to soil particles and has potential for contaminating groundwater.
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- Dichlorvos belongs to the chemical class of the organophosphates.
- Dichlorvos is not used in human medicines.
- Dichlorvos is used in crop pesticides.
- Dichlorvos 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 dichlorvos.
If you intend to use a veterinary drug containing this active ingredient you must carefully read and follow the safety instructions in the product label. Always ask your veterinary doctor, or pharmacist, or contact the manufacturer. Be aware that the safety instructions for the same veterinary medicine may vary from country to country.
The information in this page must not be confused with the Materials and Safety Datasheets (MSDS) officially issued by manufacturers for active ingredients and many other chemicals. MSDSs target safety during manufacturing, transport, storage and handling of such materials. This safety summary is a complement to the information on product labels and MSDS.
The toxicity of an active ingredient must not be confused with the toxicity of finished products, in this case parasiticidal drugs or pesticides. Finished products contain one or more active ingredients, but also other ingredients that can be relevant from the safety point of view.
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