Name Dimetridazole
Synonyms Dimetridazole; 1,2-Dimethyl-5-nitro-1H-imidazole
Molecular Formula C5H7N3O2
Molecular Weight 141.13
CAS Registry Number 551-92-8
EINECS 209-001-2
Properties
Melting point 177-182 ºC
Dimetridazole is a drug that combats protozoan infections. It is a nitroimidazole class drug. It has been banned by the Government of Canada as a livestock feed additive.
It used to be commonly added to poultry feed. This led to it being found in eggs. Because of suspicions of it being carcinogenic its use has been legally limited but it is still found in the eggs.
Dimetridazole is a C-nitro compound that is 5-nitroimidazole in which the hydrogens at positions 1 and 2 are replaced by methyl groups. An antiprotozoal drug, it has been banned by both the Government of Canada and the European Union as a livestock feed additive owing to suspicions of it being carcinogenic. It has a role as an antiprotozoal drug and an antiparasitic agent. It is a C-nitro compound and a member of imidazoles.
