Hydramethylnon (AC 217,300) is an insecticide used primarily in the form of baits for cockroaches and ants.[1] [2] [3] It works by inhibiting complex III in the mitochondrial inner membrane and leads to a halting of oxidative phosphorylation (IRAC class 20A). Some brands of hydramethylnon are Amdro, Blatex, Combat, Cyaforce, Cyclon, Faslane, Grant's, Impact, Matox, Maxforce, Pyramdron, Siege, Scuttle and Wipeout. Hydramethylnon is a slow-acting poison with delayed toxicity that needs to be eaten to be effective.
Hydramethylnon has low toxicity in mammals.[2] [4] The oral is 1100–1300 mg/kg in rats and above 28,000 mg/kg in dogs.[4] Hydramethylnon is toxic to fish; the 96-hour LC50 in rainbow trout is 0.16 mg/L, 0.10 mg/L in channel catfish, and 1.70 mg/L in bluegill sunfish.
Hydramethylnon, when fed to rats for two years, led to an increase in uterine and adrenal tumors at the highest dose; therefore, the Environmental Protection Agency classifies hydramethylnon as a possible human carcinogen.[4]