Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

VASOPRESSIN 8-ARGININE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Pituitary polypeptide hormone; the blood- pressure increasing (pressor) principle of the
posterior lobe of the pituitary gland prepared by synthesis or extracted from healthy
domestic animals used for food by man. Two different vasopressins have been isolated which
differ only in the amino acid at position 8. The extract from pigs is vasopressin- 8-
lysine (also known as lypressin) whilst that extracted from other animals (man, beef,
chicken, horse and sheep) is vasopressin- 8- arginine (also known as argipressin).
Administered by injection, as an aqueous solution, produces a direct antidiuretic effect
on the kidneys, constriction of peripheral vessels and contraction of the smooth muscle of
the intestine, gall bladder and urinary bladder. Also used in the treatment and diagnosis
of diabetes insipidus a condition in which deficiency of the hormone occurs (ineffective
in nephrogenic diabetes insipidus). Has been given to remove gas in abdominal
visualisation procedures. Because it decreases hepatic blood flow and portal venous
pressure has been used in treatment of oesophageal varices.

SYNONYMS

C46-H65-N15-O12-S2, ADH, "antidiuretic hormone", argipressin, beta-hypophamine, "glycine
pitressin", "glycine vasopressin", "L-glycine vasopressin", "L-glycine vasopressin", (8-
glycine)vasopressin, "Cys-Tyr-Phe-Gln-Asn-Cys-Pro-Arg-Gly-NH2 cyclic (1-6) disulfide",
pitressin, vasopressin-8-glycine, vasopressin-8-glycine, rindervasopressin, "posterior
pituitary extract", poly-peptide

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Although ingestion is not thought to produce harmful effects, the material may still be damaging to the health of the individual following ingestion, especially where pre-  existing organ (e.g. liver, kidney) damage is evident. Present definitions of harmful or toxic substances are generally based on doses producing mortality (death) rather than those producing morbidity (disease, ill-health). Gastrointestinal tract discomfort may produce nausea and vomiting. In an occupational setting however, ingestion of insignificant quantities is not thought to be cause for concern.  

EYE

  Although the material is not thought to be an irritant, direct contact with the eye may produce transient discomfort characterized by tearing or conjunctival redness (as with windburn).  

SKIN

  The material is not thought to produce adverse health effects or skin irritation following contact (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting.  Open cuts, abraded or irritated skin should not be exposed to this material.  

INHALED

  The material is not thought to produce adverse health effects or irritation of the respiratory tract (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable control measures be used in an occupational setting.  Persons with impaired respiratory function, airway diseases and conditions such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis, may incur further disability if excessive concentrations of particulate are inhaled.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Principal routes of exposure are by accidental skin and eye contact andinhalation of generated dusts.  Exposure to small quantities may induce hypersensitivity reactions characterized by acute bronchospasm, hives (urticaria), deep dermal wheals (angioneurotic edema), running nose (rhinitis) and blurred vision . Anaphylactic shock and skin rash (non-thrombocytopenic purpura) may occur. An individual may be predisposed to such anti-body mediated reaction if other chemical agents have caused prior sensitization (cross-sensitivity).  Other hypersensitivity reactions have included bronchial constriction and  neurodermatitis. Reported shock may simply be a result of exposure to a  foreign protein/peptide. Hypersensitivity reactions are less with  synthetic forms than with those extracted from animals.