Indoxacarb is an
oxadiazinepesticide developed by
DuPont that acts against
lepidopteran larvae. It is marketed under the names Indoxacarb Technical Insecticide, Steward Insecticide and Avaunt Insecticide. It is also used as the active ingredient in the
Syngenta line of commercial pesticides: Advion and Arilon.[1][2][3]
In 2021, the
European Union[5] chose not to renew Indoxacarb for use as an insecticide. The
United Kingdom still allows use of the compound until 2025.[6]
Indoxacarb is the active ingredient in a number of household
insecticides, including
cockroach and
ant baits, and can remain active after digestion.[9]
In 2012 DuPont's Professional Products including the line of Advion and Arilon products was purchased by
Syngenta.[10]
Indoxacarb is the active ingredient in the pet product, Activyl, from
Merck Animal Health. It is marketed to kill
fleas on dogs and cats.[11]
Toxicity to humans
While toxicity to humans has not been formally studied, there is a reported case of a person consuming indoxacarb in a
suicide attempt.[12] The patient developed
methemoglobinemia following ingestion.[12] Methemoglobinemia (also known as blue baby syndrome) is a condition which ultimately decreases the effectiveness of red blood cells to exchange oxygen with organs. Methemoglobinemia can be fatal if left untreated, however when the cause is exposure to a chemical agent (not genetic) a variety of treatments are available and effective.[13][14]
^Wang, Kai-Yun; Zhang, Yong; Wang, Hong-Yan; Xia, Xiao-Ming; Liu, Tong-Xian (2010-01-01). "Influence of three diets on susceptibility of selected insecticides and activities of detoxification esterases of Helicoverpa assulta (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)". Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology. 96 (1): 51–55.
doi:
10.1016/j.pestbp.2009.09.003.
^McCann, Stephen F.; Annis, Gary D.; Shapiro, Rafael; Piotrowski, David W.; Lahm, George P.; Long, Jeffrey K.; Lee, Kevin C.; Hughes, Margaret M.; Myers, Brian J.; Griswold, Sandra M.; Reeves, Bonita M.; March, Robert W.; Sharpe, Paula L.; Lowder, Patrick; Tseng, Paul; Barnette, William E.; Wing, Keith D. (2001-07-23). "Synthesis and Biological Activity of Oxadiazine and Triazine Insecticides: The Discovery of Indoxacarb". Synthesis and Chemistry of Agrochemicals VI. ACS Symposium Series. Vol. 800.
Washington, DC:
American Chemical Society. pp. 166–177.
doi:
10.1021/bk-2002-0800.ch016.
ISBN9780841237834.
ISSN0097-6156.
^Ludlow, John T.; Wilkerson, Richard G.; Nappe, Thomas M. (2023),
"Methemoglobinemia", StatPearls, Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing,
PMID30726002, retrieved 2023-09-01