Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

HYCANTHONE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

A schistosomicide in the individual or mass treatment of infection with Schistosoma
haematobium and S. mansoni. Given as the mesylate by deep muscular injection. Owing to
concerns about toxicity, possible carcinogenicity and mutagenicity, and teratogenicity,
hycanthone has largely been replaced by other anthelmintics.

SYNONYMS

C20-H24-N2-O2-S, "9H-thioxanthen-9-one, 1-[(2-(diethylamino)ethyl)amino]-4-
(hydroxymethyl)-", "9H-thioxanthen-9-one, 1-[(2-(diethylamino)ethyl)amino]-4-
(hydroxymethyl)-", 1-[(2-(diethylamino)ethyl)amino]-4-(hydroxymethyl)thioxanthen-9-one, 1-
[(2-(diethylamino)ethyl)amino]-4-(hydroxymethyl)thioxanthen-9-one, 1-[(2-
(diethylamino)ethyl)amino]-4-(hydroxymethyl)-9H-thioxanthen-9-one, 1-[(2-
(diethylamino)ethyl)amino]-4-(hydroxymethyl)-9H-thioxanthen-9-one, Hycanthon, "Lucanthone
metabolite", NSC-134434, WIN-24933, "anthelmintic (Schistosoma)"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Harmful if swallowed.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Accidental ingestion of the material may be harmful; animal experiments indicate that ingestion of less than 150 gram may be fatal or may produce serious damage to the health of the individual.  Considered an unlikely route of entry in commercial/industrial environments.  At sufficiently high doses the material may be hepatotoxic(i.e. poisonous to the liver).  

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.  

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 usually by skin contact/absorption and inhalation of generated dust.  No human exposure data available. For this reason health effects described are based on experience with chemically related materials.  As with any chemical product, contact with unprotected bare skin; inhalation of vapor, mist or dust in work place atmosphere; or ingestion in any form, should be avoided by observing good occupational work practice.