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Name: Detomidine Hydrochloride
Chemical Formula: C12H14N2 • HCl
Common Use: Detomidine Hydrochloride plays a role as a veterinary sedative, especially in large animal medicine. Its clinical utility stands out among alpha-2 agonists, helping control pain and stress response in horses and some companion animals.
GHS Classification: Acute toxicity (oral), category 3; Skin irritation, category 2; Eye irritation, category 2A
Signal Word: Danger
Pictograms: Skull and crossbones, exclamation mark
Main Hazards: Exposure can lead to drowsiness, hypotension, bradycardia, and respiratory depression. Accidental contact with eyes, skin, or accidental ingestion carries strong risks. Veterinary users must understand that this agent has rapid absorption and pronounced effect if mishandled.
Main Ingredient: Detomidine Hydrochloride
CAS Number: 90038-01-0
Concentration: Ranges from 98% purity in pure substance presentations; commercial injectable formulations dilute it for animal use.
Impurities: Small amounts of related organic compounds and water.
Inhalation: Move exposed person to fresh air and monitor for sedation, breathing difficulty, or decreased consciousness. Emergency medical care is always warranted if symptoms develop.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing. Rinse skin thoroughly with water. If effects like numbness or irritation develop, get medical attention.
Eye Contact: Flush open eye with clean water for 15 minutes, keeping eyelids open. If discomfort or vision changes persist, see a doctor.
Ingestion: Never induce vomiting. Sip water if able. Seek prompt medical attention because detomidine can depress central nervous system and cardiovascular functions.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, foam, dry powder, or carbon dioxide.
Specific Hazards: Thermal decomposition may give off acrid smoke, nitrogen oxides, and hydrogen chloride fumes.
Protective Equipment: Firefighters need self-contained breathing apparatus and protective clothing due to smoke and fume risks.
Personal Precautions: Open up the area. Use gloves, eye protection, and a lab coat or apron when cleaning. Prevent skin, eye, or respiratory contact.
Spill Cleanup: Absorb small spills with inert material like sand or vermiculite. Sweep carefully to avoid dust. Gather in closed container for safe chemical waste disposal.
Disposal: Never wash down the drain. Avoid all environmental release.
Handling: Only handle in well-ventilated areas. Avoid unnecessary exposure and do not eat or drink near the substance. Wear gloves and protective clothing. Spills attract attention; quick cleanup matters.
Storage: Store dry and cool, away from incompatible chemicals like strong acids and oxidizers. Keep tightly closed when possible. Lock away from access by unauthorized personnel or children.
Engineering Controls: Use fume hood or local exhaust if powder may become airborne. Work surfaces should be resistant to chemical attack.
Personal Protection: Wear chemical-resistant gloves, splash goggles, and a disposable lab coat. In rare cases where there’s risk of inhalation, a dust mask or respirator meets the goal.
Hygiene: Wash hands thoroughly after each use. Eating and drinking in areas where detomidine is handled increases the risk of accidental exposure.
Appearance: White to slightly off-white crystalline powder
Odor: Odorless
Solubility: Freely soluble in water
Melting Point: Approx. 168-170°C
Molecular Weight: 222.71 (base) plus HCl for salt
Stability: Stable under standard conditions, sensitive to light and moisture
Stability: Detomidine hydrochloride doesn’t break down at room temperature or under standard light if storage is protected.
Conditions to Avoid: Avoid exposing to strong light, heat, and moisture.
Incompatibility: Reacts with strong oxidizers and acids. Certain packaging materials may leach if not compatible.
Decomposition: Degrades into nitrogen oxides and hydrochloric acid fumes under fire or decomposition above 200°C.
Acute Toxicity: Human exposure leads to sedation, hypotension, slow heart rate, and respiratory suppression. Oral LD50 values in rodents sit in the low mg/kg range, reflecting high potency.
Routes of Exposure: Skin, eyes, inhalation, ingestion.
Signs and Symptoms: Overexposure triggers drowsiness, slow reaction, and weakness. Higher levels cause dangerous drops in consciousness and blood pressure.
Sensitisation: Reports of recurring skin reaction or allergy are rare but possible.
Aquatic Toxicity: Detomidine can prove harmful to aquatic organisms, especially fish, due to potent pharmacological action on neural tissue.
Mobility: Its water solubility allows easy passage through soil and water if spilled.
Persistence and Degradability: Not expected to persist under ordinary environmental conditions; not expected to bioaccumulate, but data is limited.
Precaution: Any release into surface water or drains should be avoided.
Spill Cleanup Material: Package all solids, powder, or contaminated clean-up materials in a sealed, labeled drum.
Disposal Method: Send as hazardous pharmaceutical waste for incineration or secure landfill in line with local regulations. Never dump with household waste or into drains.
Container Disposal: Rinse empty containers with strong detergent, triple rinse, and deliver to hazardous waste handler.
UN Number: None assigned for veterinary clinical formulations.
Hazard Class: Not classified as a dangerous good by ground, air, or sea in diluted pharmaceutical form.
Packaging: Secure closure, cushioning to prevent breakage, keep away from food cargo.
US Federal: Prescription-only veterinary medicine; regulated by FDA for animal safety.
EU: Veterinary medicinal product, available to certified users under the EU Veterinary Medicines Regulation.
Worker Protection: All handlers in production and clinical settings require worker health and safety training.
Environmental Release: Any release triggers notification to environmental authorities under most national frameworks.
