Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

VASOPRESSIN (ASU1,6,ARG8)

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Derivative of vasopressin. Vasopressin is a 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

C45-H70-N14-O12, "(Asu1, 6, Arg)-vasotocin", 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 include 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 other forms of vasopressin prepared from animals.