
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Isofenphos
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Isofenphos is an organophosphate insecticide used to control soil-dwelling insects.
Toxicity
Toxicity
- Acute toxicity: Isofenphos is highly toxic via the oral route, with a reported acute oral LD50 of 28 to 38 mg/kg in rats and 91.3 to 127 mg/kg in mice . It is moderately toxic via the dermal route, with a reported dermal LD50 of 188 mg/kg in rats. Typical of other organophosphate insecticides, this compound is a cholinesterase inhibitor. Effects that may occur from exposure include: increased secretions, difficulty in breathing, diarrhea, urination, pupil contraction, and slowness of the heart . At very high doses, convulsions and coma may ensue. Isofenphos may be more toxic when it is combined with the insecticide malathion.
- Chronic toxicity: The primary chronic effect of isofenphos in animals and in humans is suppression of cholinesterase activity. Doses in the diets of rats and mice below 0.05 mg/kg/day had no effect on blood stream (plasma) cholinesterase activity.[1]
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
