Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

NAFCILLIN SODIUM

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Antibiotic. Normally given by mouth or intramuscular injection. Effective against
benzylpenicillin resistant staphylococci and against mixed streptococcal or pneumococcal
and staphylococcal infection when the staphylococci are penicillin resistant.

SYNONYMS

C21-H21-N2-Na-O5-S, "4-thia-1-azabicyclo[3.2.0]heptane-2-carboxylic acid, 6-[((2-ethoxy-
1-naphthalenyl)carbonyl)amino]-3, 3-dimethyl-7-oxo-monosodium salt, [2S-(2alpha, 5alpha,
6beta)]", "4-thia-1-azabicyclo[3.2.0]heptane-2-carboxylic acid, 6-[((2-ethoxy-1-
naphthalenyl)carbonyl)amino]-3, 3-dimethyl-7-oxo-monosodium salt, [2S-(2alpha, 5alpha,
6beta)]", "4-thia-1-azabicyclo[3.2.0]heptane-2-carboxylic acid, 6-(2-ethoxy-1-
naphthylamido)-3, 3-dimethyl-7-oxo-, monosodium salt", "4-thia-1-
azabicyclo[3.2.0]heptane-2-carboxylic acid, 6-(2-ethoxy-1-naphthylamido)-3, 3-dimethyl-7-
oxo-, monosodium salt", "[2S-(2alpha, 5alpha, 6beta)]-4-thia-1-azabicyclo[3.2.0]heptane-
2-carboxylicacid, ", "[2S-(2alpha, 5alpha, 6beta)]-4-thia-1-azabicyclo[3.2.0]heptane-2-
carboxylicacid, ", "6-[((2-ethoxy-1-naphthalenyl)carbonyl)amino]-3, 3-dimethyl-7-oxo-
monosodium", "6-[((2-ethoxy-1-naphthalenyl)carbonyl)amino]-3, 3-dimethyl-7-oxo-
monosodium", "3, 3-dimethyl-7-oxo-4-thia-1-azabicyclo[3.2.0]heptane-2-carboxylic acid, 6-
(2-ethoxy-1-naphthamido) monosodium salt", "3, 3-dimethyl-7-oxo-4-thia-1-
azabicyclo[3.2.0]heptane-2-carboxylic acid, 6-(2-ethoxy-1-naphthamido) monosodium salt",
naphthicillin, "sodium nafcillin", "6-(2-ethoxy-1-naphthamido)penicillin sodium", "6-(2-
ethoxy-1-naphthamido)penicillin sodium", "sodium 6-(2-ethoxy-1-naphthamido)penicillinate",
"sodium 6-(2-ethoxy-1-naphthamido)penicillinate", BRL1383, Naftopen, Unipen, WY-3277,
antibiotic

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.  Agranulocytosis is an acute condition with loss of white blood cells, especially those with multiple nuclei. This may lead to infected ulcers in the throat, intestine, other mucous membranes and skin.  Penicillins can cause temporary diarrhea, nausea, heartburn and itchiness of the anus. They are fairly safe in the non-allergic. Hypersensitive patients can present with acute inflammation of the kidneys and anaphylactic shock, which can cause death within minutes. A generalized sensitivity reaction can occur in 1 to 3 weeks. This includes hives, swellings (especially of the face, lips and tissues around the mouth), redness of the skin, skin shedding, purple discoloration, extreme weakness, abdominal cramps, fever, joint pain, constriction of airways, severe asthma, chest pains, low blood pressure, cyanosis, collapse of circulation and lung swelling. Serum sickness type syndromes include enlarged spleen, joint pain and inflammation, muscle pain, general unwellness, lymph disorders and mental changes. There may be cross-sensitivity between penicillins and other members of their family, as well as cephalosporins and cephamycins.  

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

  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.  Allergic contact dermatitis is relatively common amongst those handling the penicillins or following repeated topical application of penicillin containing ointments.  

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.  Respiratory sensitization may result in allergic/asthma like responses; from coughing and minor breathing difficulties to bronchitis with wheezing, gasping.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  There is some evidence that inhaling this product is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  

  Principal routes of exposure are by accidental skin and eye contact andinhalation of generated dusts.  Repeated ingestion of penicillins can cause nausea and/or vomiting, stomach upset, diarrhea, sore or dry throat, and a sore or black hairy tongue. Resistance may develop for some bacteria, and there may be overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms (superinfection).  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).