Metaflumizone is a

semicarbazone In organic chemistry, a semicarbazone is a derivative of imines formed by a condensation reaction between a ketone or aldehyde and semicarbazide. They are classified as imine derivatives because they are formed from the reaction of an aldehyde or ...

insecticide Insecticides are substances used to kill insects. They include ovicides and larvicides used against insect eggs and larvae, respectively. Insecticides are used in agriculture, medicine, industry and by consumers. Insecticides are claimed to b ...

indicated for the veterinary treatment of

flea Flea, the common name for the order Siphonaptera, includes 2,500 species of small flightless insects that live as external parasites of mammals and birds. Fleas live by ingesting the blood of their hosts. Adult fleas grow to about long, a ...

s and

tick Ticks (order Ixodida) are parasitic arachnids that are part of the mite superorder Parasitiformes. Adult ticks are approximately 3 to 5 mm in length depending on age, sex, species, and "fullness". Ticks are external parasites, living by ...

s, marketed under the brand name ProMeris. A discontinued variant of ''ProMeris'', called ''ProMeris Duo'' or ''Promeris for Dogs'', was indicated for canine use and was a formulated blend of metaflumizone and

amitraz Amitraz (development code BTS27419) is a non-systemic acaricide and insecticideCorta, E., Bakkali, A., Berrueta, L. A., Gallo, B., & Vicente, F. (1999). Kinetics and mechanism of amitraz hydrolysis in aqueous media by HPLC and GC-MS. Talanta, 48( ...

. 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 Sodium channel blockers are drugs which impair the conduction of sodium ions (Na+) through sodium channels. Extracellular The following naturally-produced substances block sodium channels by binding to and occluding the extracellular pore opening ...

insecticides (SCBIs) discovered at Philips-Duphar in the early 1970s, but is less dangerous to mammals than earlier compounds.

Action

Metaflumizone works by blocking sodium channels in target insects, resulting in flaccid paralysis. Metaflumizone blocks sodium channels by binding selectively to the slow-inactivated state, which is characteristic of the SCBIs. The toxin has been tested for efficacy against ''

Spodoptera eridania ''Spodoptera eridania'' (southern armyworm) is a moth that is known to be a pest. They are one of the most important defoliators in the tropical and subtropical regions of the western hemisphere that feed heavily on plants while they are young, o ...

'' moths 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 ''Culex'' is a genus of mosquitoes, several species of which serve as vectors of one or more important diseases of birds, humans, and other animals. The diseases they vector include arbovirus infections such as West Nile virus, Japanese encep ...

'' mosquitoes. Therefore, its usefulness as a heartworm control treatment is likely to be insignificant when compared with comparable treatments such as

selamectin Selamectin (trade names Revolution and Stronghold manufactured by Zoetis, and Revolt manufactured by Aurora Pharmaceuticals, among others) is a topical parasiticide and anthelminthic used on dogs and cats. It treats and prevents infections of ...

that do impact the mosquito disease vector.

Adverse effects reported

In 2011, Pfizer Animal Care decided to cease production of the drug based on findings which linked its use to an elevated incidence of the autoimmune disorder

pemphigus foliaceus Pemphigus foliaceus is an autoimmune blistering disease ( bullous disorder) of the skin. Pemphigus foliaceus causes a characteristic inflammatory attack at the subcorneal layer of epidermis, which results in skin lesions that are scaly or crusted ...

References

External links

* {{PPDB, 443 Insecticides Trifluoromethyl compounds Nitriles Trifluoromethyl ethers