Metaflumizone
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Metaflumizone is a semicarbazone insecticide indicated for the veterinary treatment of fleas and ticks, marketed under the brand name ProMeris™. A variant of ProMeris, called ProMeris Duo is indicated for canine and is a formulated blend of metaflumizone and amitraz.[1] The metaflumizone-only formulation is waterproof and typically remain effective for 30–45 days in a cutaneous application at the base of the neck.
Similar insecticides
Metaflumizone is chemically similar to pyrazoline sodium channel blocker insecticides (SCBIs) discovered at Philips-Duphar in the early 1970s, but is less dangerous to mammals than earlier formulations.[2] Metaflumizone carries the ATCvet code QP53AX25.
Action
Metaflumizone works by blocking sodium channels in target insects, resulting in paralyzation associated with blocking nerve activity. Metaflumizone blocks sodium channels by binding selectively to the slow-inactivated state, which is characteristic of the SCBIs.[2] The toxin has been tested for efficacy against Spodoptera eridania moths[2] and is indicated for control of fleas and ticks. However, in a cross comparison with other veterinary flea control substances, Metaflumizone was not shown to result in a significant reduction in the number of engorged adult female Culex mosquitoes.[3] Therefore, its usefulness as a heartworm control treatment is likely to be insignificant when compared with comparable treatments such as Selamectin that do impact the mosquito disease vector.
Adverse effects
Veterinary application of metaflumizone in clinical testing indicated the following adverse effects: [4]
- ataxia
- decreased weight gain
- decreased mean cell hemoglobin concentration
- increased rate for incomplete ossification of sternabrae (skeletal variation)
- statistically increased number of structurally aberrant metaphases in the chromosomes
- hepatocellular centrilobular livers hypertrophy
- excessive reproductive developmental toxicity
References
- ^ PetPlace Drug Library
- ^ a b c [1] Metaflumizone is a novel sodium channel blocker insecticide; Salgado VL, Hayashi JH.; BASF Corporation, 26 Davis Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
- ^ [2] Efficacy of fipronil-(S)-methoprene, metaflumizone combined with amitraz, and pyriprole commercial spot-on products in preventing Culex pipiens pipiens from feeding on dogs; Bouhsira E, Fysikopoulos A, Franc M.; UMR 181 Physiopathologie et Toxicologie Expérimentales, INRA-ENVT, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, 23 chemin des Capelles, 31076 Toulouse Cedex, France.
- ^ Federal Register publication BAS 3201 I via FluorideAlert.org