Closantel sodium

Closantel sodium	Last updated: 16/09/2025
(Not known by any other names)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

A salicylanilide anthelmintic and antiparasitic veterinary drug

Examples of veterinary uses

Used for the treatment and control of adult and immature flukes, nematodes and larval stages of some arthropods

Examples of species treated

Sheep; Cattle

Approval status

VMR 2013/2033 approval status (GB/UK)

Approved - usually supplied as a prescription only medicine to be authorised by suitably qualified person (POM-VPS)

EU Regulatory approval status

Approved

Chemical structure

Isomerism

Closantel sodium exhibits chiral isomerism, meaning its molecular structure includes a chiral centre that allows for the existence of stereoisomers. This chirality arises from the spatial arrangement of atoms around specific carbon centres in its complex aromatic framework. Although closantel sodium is typically used as a single active form in veterinary medicine, the presence of chiral centres implies that different isomers could theoretically exist.

Chemical formula

C₂₂H₁₃Cl₂I₂N₂NaO₂

Canonical SMILES

CC1=CC(=C(C=C1NC(=O)C2=C(C(=CC(=C2)I)I)[O-])Cl)C(C#N)C3=CC=C(C=C3)Cl.[Na+]

Isomeric SMILES

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

LREGMDNUOGTSIK-UHFFFAOYSA-M

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C22H14Cl2I2N2O2.Na/c1-11-6-15(17(10-27)12-2-4-13(23)5-3-12)18(24)9-20(11)28-22(30)16-7-14(25)8-19(26)21(16)29;/h2-9,17,29H,1H3,(H,28,30);/q;+1/p-1

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

General status

Veterinary substance type

Anthelmintic, Antiparasitic, Insecticide, Acaricide

Substance groups

Salicylanilide

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Synthetic

Mode of action

Acts by uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation.

Molecular targets

[Fumarate reductase, Inhibitor]

CAS RN

61438-64-0

EC number

262-794-7

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

PubChem CID

23683671

Therapeutic Class

Antiparasitic products, insecticides & repellents: Anthelmintics

ATCvet Code

QP54AA51

Controlled Drug?

Regulation 37/2010 MRL Classification

Allowed substance (Table 1: Bovine, Ovine)

Molecular mass

685.1

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

sodium;2-[[5-chloro-4-[(4-chlorophenyl)-cyanomethyl]-2-methylphenyl]carbamoyl]-4,6-diiodophenolate

CAS name

Forever chemical

Other status information

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Physical state

White to yellowish-brown crystalline powder

Related substances & organisms

closantel

Commercial

Property

Value

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

1970s, first synthesised; 1980s, initial vet use

Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically

Norbrook Laboratories Ltd

Example products using this active

Solantel Pour-on Solution

Formulation and application details

Available in a variety of formulations including solutions for injection and oral suspension

Commercial production

The production of closantel sodium typically involves a multi-step synthetic process starting from halogenated aromatic precursors. One common route begins with the reaction of 4-chlorobenzyl cyanide with sodium methylate in methanol under sealed conditions at around 50 DegC. This is followed by treatment with hydrazine hydrate and sodium hydroxide in diethylene glycol at elevated temperatures, which helps form the intermediate structure. The final step involves refluxing in toluene, which facilitates the formation of the closantel backbone and its conversion into the sodium salt form. An alternative method uses catalytic hydrogenation of a nitroso-containing intermediate in the presence of hydrogen gas and a suitable catalyst, offering higher purity and reduced environmental impact compared to older iron-based reduction techniques.

Impact on climate of production and use

Published GHG data is not available for most pharmaceuticals. However, according to industry, global averages suggest producing 1 kg of a typical active pharmaceutical ingredient can range from 10 to 100 kg CO₂e for small molecule drugs and potentially up to 1000 kg CO₂e for complex biologicals such as vaccines, depending on the drug type, its formulation, complexity of synthesis, solvent recovery, and energy sources used.

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

Melting point (°C)

215

Boiling point (°C)

220

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C

1.29 X 10⁰⁸

Calculated

Log P

8.11

High

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)

Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost

From plant surface

From soil surface

Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

Refractive Index

Environmental release

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

Note

Manure DT₅₀ (days)

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

Note

Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7

Value

Note

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Sediment phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Air degradation

As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below.

Decay in stored produce DT₅₀

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d (mL g⁻¹)

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

Notes and range

Freundlich

K_f (mL g⁻¹)

K_foc (mL g⁻¹)

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Fate indices

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

GUS leaching potential index

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

CT₅₀ (days)

Known metabolites

None

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

262

Rat

Moderate

Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL

(mg kg⁻¹)

(ppm diet)

Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)

Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ dw soil)

Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹ dw soil)

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Non-target plants

Vegetative vigour ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Seedling emergence ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Chronic

Notes

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Mason bees (Osmia spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Other bee species (1)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Other bee species (2)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)

Beneficial insects (Lacewings)

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

2.5

Anguilla anguilla

Moderate

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)

Aquatic Plants (free-floating, fonds growth, fresh) - 7 day (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic plants (rooted, growth rate, fresh) - 14 day (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Chronic (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

Marine bivalves

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

General

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

High (class III)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

262

Rat

Moderate

Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

Intramuscular LD₅₀ = 28.4 mg kg⁻¹

Rat

Subcutaneous LD₅₀ = 67.0 mg kg⁻¹

Mouse

ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

Dermal penetration studies (%)

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Occupational

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Around 80% excreted in the faeces

Health issues

Specific human health issues (hazard-based)

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

No data found

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

No data found

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

No data found

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

Possible lung and kidney toxicant

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

No information available

CLP classification 2013

WHO Classification

Not listed (Not listed)

UN Number

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

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English

closantel sodium

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Record last updated:	16/09/2025
Contact:	aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as:	Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242