Bromadiolone is a potent rodenticide. It is a second-generation 4-hydroxycoumarin derivative, often called a "super-warfarin

Warfarin

Warfarin is an anticoagulant. It is most likely to be the drug popularly referred to as a "blood thinner," yet this is a misnomer, since it does not affect the thickness or viscosity of blood...

" for its added potency and tendency to accumulate in the liver of the poisoned organism. When first introduced to the UK market in 1980, it was effective against the populations that had become resistant to the first generation anticoagulants.

The product may be used both indoors and outdoors for rats and mice.

Chemistry

The compound is used as a mixture of four stereoisomers. Its two stereoisomeric centers are at the phenyl- and the hydroxyl- carbons in the carbon chain of the substituent at the 3 position of the coumarin (2-hydroxychromen-4-one).

Toxicity

Bromadiolone can be absorbed through the digestive tract, through the lungs, or through skin contact. The pesticide is generally given orally. The substance is a vitamin K antagonist. The lack of vitamin K in the circulatory system reduces blood clotting and will cause death in large dosages due to internal hemorrhaging.

Following are acute values for various animals (mammals):

• rats 1.125 mg/kg b.w.
• mice 1.75 mg/kg b.w.
• rabbits 1 mg/kg b.w.
• dogs > 10 mg/kg b.w. (MTD)
• cats > 25 mg/kg b.w. (MTD)