Fipronil Publisher



Bameri B¹
Source: Encyclopedia of Toxicology# Fourth Edition: Volume 1-9 Published:2023

Abstract

Fipronil, from phenylpyrazole family, is an insecticide with a broad-spectrum that is primarily used for veterinary, agricultural, or even non-agricultural purposes. It predominantly targets GABA-gated chloride channels in the brain area, causing hyper-excitation of the central nervous system, convulsions, and death. Interestingly, fipronil is more eager to bind to insect receptor complexes than mammalian complexes. This lower binding affinity for mammalian receptors enhances selectivity for insects and increases the margin of safety for people and animals. It was first registered for use by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) in May 1996. © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.