Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

VIOMYCIN SULFATE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Tuberculostatic against various mycobacteria including Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Used as
a secondary tuberculostat given in conjunction with other antituberculosis agents such as
ethambutol or rifamycin to prevent emergence of a resistant strain. Normally given by deep
intramuscular injection. Largely replaced by capreomycin because of toxic side- effects.
Viomycin is an antibiotic substance produced by various Streptomyces species including S.
puniceus, S. floridae, S. vinaceus.

SYNONYMS

C25-H43-N13-O10, "celiomycin sulfate", "florimycin sulphate", "tuberactinomycin B",
"Vinactane Sulfate", "Viocin Sulfate", "Vionactane Sulfate", "antibiotic/ antibacterial/
antimycobacterial/ tuberculostatic"

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).  The dust may produce eye discomfort causing smarting, pain and redness.  

SKIN

  Skin contact with the material may damage the health of the individual; systemic effects may result following absorption.  The material is not thought to be a skin irritant (as classified using animal models). Temporary discomfort, however, may result from prolonged dermal exposures. Good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting.  

INHALED

  Inhalation may produce health damage*.  The material is not thought to produce respiratory irritation (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless inhalation of the material, especially for prolonged periods, may produce respiratory discomfort and occasionally, distress.  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.  The material may accumulate in the human body and progressively causetissue damage.  Antimycobacterial agents (used in the treatment of tuberculosis and leprosy, for example) may produce side-effects when given for prolonged periods. It may be difficult to attribute toxicity to specific agents since treatment regimes often involve the use of two or more drugs. Hypersensitivity reaction may be minor (requiring treatment with antihistamines) or more severe (requiring withdrawal and treatment with steroids). Certain drugs of this class are hepatotoxic whilst others produce neurotoxicity.