Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

RACTOPAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Animal growth promotant Food/Additive

SYNONYMS

C18-H23-N-O3.HCl, C18-H23-N-O3.HCl, 4-hydroxy-alpha-[((3-(4-(hydroxyphenyl)--
methylpropyl)amino)methyl]-, 4-hydroxy-alpha-[((3-(4-(hydroxyphenyl)--
methylpropyl)amino)methyl]-, "benzenemethanol hydrochloride", 1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-[1-
methyl-3-(4-hydroxyhenyl)propylamino]ethanol, 1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-[1-methyl-3-(4-
hydroxyhenyl)propylamino]ethanol, hydrochloride, N-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-hydroxyethyl]-1-
methyl-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-, N-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-hydroxyethyl]-1-methyl-3-(4-
hydroxyphenyl)-, "propylamine hydrochloride", EL-737, LY-031537, Paylean, "butopamine
hydrochloride", "(R, R-form)", "animal growth promotant", "beta-adrenergic agonist",
"repartitioning agent"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Irritating to eyes.
May cause SENSITIZATION by skin contact.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Accidental ingestion of the material may be damaging to the health of the individual.  Sympathomimetics, which mimic stimulation of the sympathetic nerves, causing a stimulatory effect on the heart and central nervous system, constriction of blood vessels supplying the skin and mucous membranes, dilation of blood vessels supplying muscles of movement, and widening of the airways. These drugs may act on the receptor or the release of the neurotransmitter noradrenaline. Central nervous effects include fear (feeling of "impending disaster"), anxiety, restlessness, tremor, sleep disturbance, confusion, irritability, weakness and hallucinations. There can be nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, problems with urination, shortness of breath, disturbance in glucose levels and acid-base balance, sweating, excess saliva production and headache. Cardiovascular effects include changes in heart rate, irregularities in heart rhythm, low blood pressure with dizziness, fainting and flushing, or high blood pressure. Aerosols may cause death due to irregularities in the rhythm of the ventricles (two of the four chambers of the heart). Inhaling the material may cause death of heart tissue and heart attack.  Stimulation of heart beta-1 adrenergic receptors may cause increased heart rate and irregularity of heartbeat, tightness and a constricting pain in the chest, palpitations and heart stoppage; low blood pressure with dizziness, fainting and flushing may also occur. Beta-1 receptors mediate the action of sympathomimetics; beta-2 receptors control dilation of the airways.  

EYE

  This material can cause eye irritation and damage in some persons.  

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.  Entry into the blood-stream, through, for example, cuts, abrasions or lesions, may produce systemic injury with harmful effects. Examine the skin prior to the use of the material and ensure that any external damage is suitably protected.  

INHALED

  Inhalation may produce health damage*.  The material is not thought to produce respiratory irritation (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless inhalation of dusts, or fume, especially for prolonged periods, may produce respiratory discomfort and occasionally, distress.  Inhalation of dusts, generated by the material, during the course of normalhandling, may be harmful.  Sympathomimetics, which mimic stimulation of the sympathetic nerves, causing a stimulatory effect on the heart and central nervous system, constriction of blood vessels supplying the skin and mucous membranes, dilation of blood vessels supplying muscles of movement, and widening of the airways. These drugs may act on the receptor or the release of the neurotransmitter noradrenaline. Central nervous effects include fear (feeling of "impending disaster"), anxiety, restlessness, tremor, sleep disturbance, confusion, irritability, weakness and hallucinations. There can be nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, problems with urination, shortness of breath, disturbance in glucose levels and acid-base balance, sweating, excess saliva production and headache. Cardiovascular effects include changes in heart rate, irregularities in heart rhythm, low blood pressure with dizziness, fainting and flushing, or high blood pressure. Aerosols may cause death due to irregularities in the rhythm of the ventricles (two of the four chambers of the heart). Inhaling the material may cause death of heart tissue and heart attack.  Stimulation of heart beta-1 adrenergic receptors may cause increased heart rate and irregularity of heartbeat, tightness and a constricting pain in the chest, palpitations and heart stoppage; low blood pressure with dizziness, fainting and flushing may also occur. Beta-1 receptors mediate the action of sympathomimetics; beta-2 receptors control dilation of the airways.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Skin contact with the material is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  Long term exposure to high dust concentrations may cause changes in lung function i.e. pneumoconiosis; caused by particles less than 0.5 micron penetrating and remaining in the lung. Prime symptom is breathlessness; lung shadows show on X-ray.  Feeding produced reduced body weight gain, change in blood cell counts, blood chemistry and organ weights and apparent activation of brown fat.  Treatment of rats and mice in carcinogenicity studies did not result in increased incidence of any cancer (malignant tumours). The only tumours with increased incidence were benign smooth muscle tumours (leiomyomas). This finding is a rodent specific exaggerated pharmacological effect of beta-adrenergic agonists.  In studies with rats, there were no effects on mating performance or fertility, but increased mortality, reduced growth, and structural abnormalities were reported in offspring at doses at 150 mg/kg/day which were maternally toxic.