Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

ORCIPRENALINE SULFATE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Bronchodilating agent used in the management and prophylactic therapy of bronchial asthma.
Used as a base in aerosol inhalers or in the form of inhalation capsules. Direct- acting
sympathomimetic agent with predominantly beta- adrenergic activity and selective action on
beta- 2 receptors. Given by mouth or by nebuliser.

SYNONYMS

C22-H36-N2-O10-S, "1, 3-benzenediol, 5-(1-hydroxy-2-[(1-methylethyl)amino)ethyl]-,
sulfate(2:1) (salt)", "1, 3-benzenediol, 5-(1-hydroxy-2-[(1-methylethyl)amino)ethyl]-,
sulfate(2:1) (salt)", "benzyl alcohol, 3, 5-dihydroxy-1lpha-[(isopropylamino)methyl]-,
sulfate(2:1) (salt)", "benzyl alcohol, 3, 5-dihydroxy-1lpha-[(isopropylamino)methyl]-,
sulfate(2:1) (salt)", "5-[1-hydroxy-2-((1-methylethyl)amino)ethyl]-, 1, 3-benzenediol
sulfate(2:1) (salt)", "5-[1-hydroxy-2-((1-methylethyl)amino)ethyl]-, 1, 3-benzenediol
sulfate(2:1) (salt)", "3, 5-dihydroxy-alpha-[(isopropylamino)methyl benzyl alcohol
sulfate(2;1) (salt)", "3, 5-dihydroxy-alpha-[(isopropylamino)methyl benzyl alcohol
sulfate(2;1) (salt)", Alupent, Metaprel, "Metaproterenol sulfate", "Metaproterenol
hemisulfate salt", sympathomimetic

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

None

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

  Inhalation may produce health damage*.  The material is not thought to produce respiratory irritation (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless inhalation of the material, especially for prolonged periods, may produce respiratory discomfort and occasionally, distress.  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.  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

  Principal routes of exposure are by accidental skin and eye contact andinhalation of generated dusts.  Long term exposure may esult in personality changes. Reproductive studies  in animals produced no teratogenic or embyrocidal effects at 310 times the  human inhalation dose; at 620 times the human inhalation dose there were  skeletal abnormalities and hydrocephalus with bone separation