Glycopyrronium (Ref: NVA237)

Glycopyrronium (Ref: NVA237)	Last updated: 15/09/2025
(Also known as: glycopyrrolate ion; glycopyrronium ion)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

A preanesthetic anticholinergic agent used in veterinary medicine

Examples of veterinary uses

Reduces oral and bronchial secretions before surgery. Also used to treat bradycardia (slow heart rate) caused by certain medications

Examples of species treated

Cats; Dogs

Approval status

VMR 2013/2033 approval status (GB/UK)

Not approved

EU Regulatory approval status

Approved

Chemical structure

Isomerism

Glycopyrronium exhibits optical isomerism, due to the presence of chiral centres in its molecular structure. It is commonly formulated as a racemic mixture as both isomers contribute to its therapeutic action.

Chemical formula

C₁₉H₂₈NO₃+

Canonical SMILES

C[N+]1(CCC(C1)OC(=O)C(C2CCCC2)(C3=CC=CC=C3)O)C

Isomeric SMILES

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

ANGKOCUUWGHLCE-UHFFFAOYSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C19H28NO3/c1-20(2)13-12-17(14-20)23-18(21)19(22,16-10-6-7-11-16)15-8-4-3-5-9-15/h3-5,8-9,16-17,22H,6-7,10-14H2,1-2H3/q+1

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

General status

Veterinary substance type

Anticholinergic, Medicinal drug

Substance groups

Quarternary ammonium drug

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Synthetic

Mode of action

Works by reducing the acidity of gastric secretions - glycopyrronium competitively blocks muscarinic receptors,

Molecular targets

[Muscarini acetylcholinesterase receptor M1, Antagonist], [Muscarini acetylcholinesterase receptor M3, Antagonist], [Muscarini acetylcholinesterase receptor M2, Antagonist], [Muscarini acetylcholinesterase receptor M4, Antagonist], [Muscarini acetylcholinesterase receptor M5, Antagonist]

CAS RN

13283-82-4

EC number

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

PubChem CID

Therapeutic Class

Drugs for functional gastrointestinal disoders: Synthetic anticholinergics, quaternary ammonium compounds

ATCvet Code

QA03AB02

Controlled Drug?

Regulation 37/2010 MRL Classification

Molecular mass

318.4

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

(1,1-dimethylpyrrolidin-1-ium-3-yl) 2-cyclopentyl-2-hydroxy-2-phenylacetate

CAS name

Forever chemical

Other status information

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Physical state

White, crystalline powder

Commercial

Property

Value

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

2012, approved EU; 2018, approved USA

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

Vetoquinol S.A.

Example products using this active

Robinul
Cuvposa

Formulation and application details

Usually administered via injection or orally

Commercial production

The production of glycopyrronium involves synthesising its quaternary ammonium structure through a multi-step chemical process. One common route begins with N-methylpyrrolidin-3-ol, which is reacted with a substituted tropane or tropic acid derivative under controlled conditions to form the core ester linkage. This intermediate is then quaternized, usually by alkylation with agents like methyl bromide or methyl chloride, to yield the final glycopyrronium bromide or chloride salt, depending on the formulation.

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)

50000

High

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

Melting point (°C)

192.5

Boiling point (°C)

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

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

Log P

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)

570

Mouse

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)

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)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

570

Mouse

Moderate

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

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

Intraveous LD₅₀ = 25.0 mg kg⁻¹

Dog

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

The primary route of elimination is via renal excretion, mainly as unchanged medicinal product.

Health issues

Specific human health issues (hazard-based)

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

No data found

; ; ; ;

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

May cause gastrointestinal disturbances

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

Not explosive or oxidising

CLP classification 2013

Health: H302, H315, H319, H335

WHO Classification

UN Number

Not regulated

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

Store in a dark, dry place 2-8 DegC. Glycopyrrolate is stable under ambient conditions

TRANSLATIONS

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Name

English

glycopyrronium

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Swedish

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Record last updated:	15/09/2025
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