Extrapolation from safety data to management of poisoning with reference to amitraz (a formamidine pesticide) and xylene

Many pesticides are formulated in organic solvents. An example is amitraz, one of the formamidine group of pesticidal chemicals. As a contingency against the possibility of poisoning cases occurring, the toxicity and pharmacology of amitraz were reviewed in order to recommend medical management procedures. Amitraz has pharmacological activity, including monoamine oxidase inhibition, alpha-adrenergic agonist activity and it inhibits prostaglandin synthesis. Extrapolating from acute studies in animals, the likely signs of poisoning in humans may include bradycardia, hypotension, hyperglycaemia, CNS depression, and hypothermia. Despite the presence of amitraz, it appears that the xylene is the more aggressive component in the formulation tested, and treatment for over-exposure by the oral route is generally as for xylene ingestion, but the presence of amitraz is an indication for gastric lavage. Few cases of poisoning have occurred and these are presented.