Lufenuron

Description

Lufenuron is an insect development inhibitor of the benzoylphenyl urea class. It demonstrates activity against fleas that have fed on treated cats and dogs and become exposed to lufenuron in the host’s blood. Lufenuron also has activity by virtue of its presence in adult flea feces, leading to its ingestion by flea larvae. Both activities result in the production of eggs that are unable to hatch, causing significant reductions in flea larvae populations. The lipophilicity of lufenuron leads to its deposition in adipose tissues of animals from where it is slowly released into the bloodstream. This permits effective blood concentrations to be maintained throughout the recommended oral dosing interval of 1 month.

The Uses of Lufenuron

Lufenuron is used for the control of Lepidoptera and Coleoptera larvae on cotton, maize and vegetables, and of citrus whitefly and rust mites on citrus fruit. It is also used to control fleas on pets and cockroaches in houses.

Definition

ChEBI: Lufenuron is a benzoylurea insecticide, a dichlorobenzene, a N-acylurea, an aromatic ether and an organofluorine compound.

Flammability and Explosibility

Not classified

Pharmacology

Antiparasitic. Lufenuron is a benzoylurea insecticide. This class of insecticides was previously used on fruits to decrease damage by insects. Lufenuron (Program) has been used for prevention of flea infections in dogs and cats because it inhibits chitin synthesis. For this use, it has been given to dogs at a dose of 10 mg/kg every 30 days and to cats at a dose of 30 mg/kg every 30 days. It may also have some inhibition on fungal cell membranes because it inhibits the cell wall of fungi, which contain chitin, and other complex polysaccharides. Because of this property on fungal cell membranes, there has been interest in using lufenuron to treat dermatophytes in small animals. However, proven efficacy has been controversial. Well-controlled studies have not confirmed consistent efficacy for treating dermatophytes in animals.

Veterinary Drugs and Treatments

Lufenuron is approved for use in dogs and cats 6 weeks of age and older for the control of flea populations. The combination product of lufenuron and milbemycin (Sentinel?) is indicated for use in puppies and dogs 4 weeks and older for prevention and control flea populations, prevention of heartworm disease, control of adult hookworms, and the removal and control of adult roundworms and whipworms.
Lufeneron showed initial promise as a treatment for fungal infections, but the early enthusiasm has dampened considerably as efficacy appears doubtful.

Metabolic pathway

Only limited information is available in the open literature on the metabolism of lufenuron.

Degradation

Lufenuron is less stable at alkaline pH than under acidic conditions. The DT₅₀ at 25 °C is 160 days at pH 5,70 days at pH 7 and 32 days at pH 9 (PM).

Mode of action

Lufenuron has no systemic or translaminar effect. It is persistent with a transovarial effect. It may reduce the egg-Iaying rate or hinder the hatching process of embryos.