Flocoumafen

Flocoumafen is a fluorinated, second-generation anticoagulant of the 4-hydroxycoumarin vitamin K antagonist type. It is a second generation chemical in this class, used commercially as a rodenticide. It has a very high toxicity and is restricted to indoor use and sewers. This restriction is mainly due to the increased risk to non-target species, especially due to its tendency to bio-accumulate in exposed organisms. Studies have shown that rodents resistant to first-generation anticoagulants can be adequately controlled with flocoumafen. It was synthesized in 1984 by Shell International Chemical.

Toxicity

In most rodents, the is 1 mg/kg, but it can vary between species: from 0.12 mg/kg in the common vole to more than 10 mg/kg in the Cairo [spiny mouse]. For dogs the LD₅₀ is 0.075-0.25 mg/kg.

Antidote

The antidote to flocoumafen is vitamin K₁, which must be administered over a period of several weeks or even months.