Nicarbazin

Nicarbazin	Last updated: 15/09/2025
(Also known as: nicarbazine)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

A carbanilide type medicinal feed additive

Examples of veterinary uses

Used to treat a protozoan disease - coccidiosis in chickens and for egg hatch reduction in Canada Geese

Examples of species treated

Domestic fowl; Canada geese

Approval status

VMR 2013/2033 approval status (GB/UK)

Not approved

EU Regulatory approval status

Not approved

Chemical structure

Isomerism

None

Chemical formula

C₁₉H₁₈N₆O₆

Canonical SMILES

CC1=CC(=NC(=O)N1)C.C1=CC(=CC=C1NC(=O)NC2=CC=C(C=C2)[N+](=O)[O-])[N+](=O)[O-]

Isomeric SMILES

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

UKHWDRMMMYWSFL-UHFFFAOYSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C13H10N4O5.C6H8N2O/c18-13(14-9-1-5-11(6-2-9)16(19)20)15-10-3-7-12(8-4-10)17(21)22;1-4-3-5(2)8-6(9)7-4/h1-8H,(H2,14,15,18);3H,1-2H3,(H,7,8,9)

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

General status

Veterinary substance type

Coccidiostat, Antiprotozoal agent, Feed additive

Substance groups

Carbanilide drug

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Synthetic

Mode of action

Inhibits the formation of the vitelline membrane separating the egg yolk and egg white

Molecular targets

[Succinate, Inhibitor], [Energy-dependent transhydrogenases, Inhibitor]

CAS RN

330-95-0

EC number

206-359-1

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

85712

PubChem CID

Therapeutic Class

Antiparasitic products, insecticides & repellents: Antiprotozoals

ATCvet Code

QP51AE03

Controlled Drug?

Regulation 37/2010 MRL Classification

Molecular mass

426.38

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

A complex of two compounds, 4,4'-dinitrocarbanilide (DNC) and 4,6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinol (HDP)

CAS name

N,N'-bis(4-nitrophenyl)-urea (DNC), compound with 4,6-dimethyl-2(1H)-pyrimidinone (1:1) (HDP)

Forever chemical

Other status information

Not approved as a feed additive in EU

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Physical state

Yellow to tan coloured powdery solid

Related substances & organisms

narasin

Commercial

Property

Value

Availability status

Introduction & key dates

2005, introduced

Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically

Innolytics
LLC
Elanco

Example products using this active

OvoControl-G
Nicarbazin Granulated Premix
Maxiban
Cycarb

Formulation and application details

Supplied as bait that may be applied with bait pans, broadcast directly on the ground by hand or with mechanical feeders

Commercial production

Nicarbazin is produced by combining two active components, 4,4'-dinitrocarbanilide (DNC) and 2-hydroxy-4,6-dimethylpyrimidine (HDP), in an equimolar ratio to form a stable complex. The synthesis begins with the preparation of DNC through nitration and urea condensation of aromatic precursors, while HDP is synthesised via methylation and ring formation of pyrimidine derivatives. These two compounds are then physically blended under controlled temperature and humidity to ensure uniform dispersion and complex formation.

Impact on climate of production and use

Published GHG data is not available for most pharmaceuticals. However, according to industry, global averages suggest producing 1 kg of a typical active pharmaceutical ingredient can range from 10 to 100 kg CO₂e for small molecule drugs and potentially up to 1000 kg CO₂e for complex biologicals such as vaccines, depending on the drug type, its formulation, complexity of synthesis, solvent recovery, and energy sources used.

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

0.52

Low

Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

Melting point (°C)

270

Boiling point (°C)

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C

5.75 X 10⁰³

Calculated

Log P

3.76

High

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

0.5

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)

Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost

From plant surface

From soil surface

Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹

Produces a band of absorption in the range of 300-360mm

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

Refractive Index

Environmental release

Direct application promotes environmental release into undesirable areas

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

301

Persistent

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

Note

The DNC portion degrades slowly in soil with DT₅₀ ~ 1yr & does not volatilize or leach through the soil. DNC and HDP will have different fate profiles

Manure DT₅₀ (days)

Broiler faeces Slightly persistent

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

602

Stable

Note

Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7

Value

Stable

Note

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Sediment phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Air degradation

As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below.

Decay in stored produce DT₅₀

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d (mL g⁻¹)

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

Notes and range

Freundlich

K_f (mL g⁻¹)

K_foc (mL g⁻¹)

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Fate indices

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

GUS leaching potential index

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

CT₅₀ (days)

Known metabolites

None

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 10000

Rat

Low

Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL

(mg kg⁻¹)

(ppm diet)

Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 3680

Anas platyrhynchos

Low

Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)

Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹)

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Non-target plants

Vegetative vigour ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Seedling emergence ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Chronic

Notes

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Mason bees (Osmia spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Other bee species (1)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Other bee species (2)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)

Beneficial insects (Lacewings)

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

> 0.069

Oncorhynchus mykiss for DNC fraction

High

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

> 0.093

Daphnia magna for DNC fraction

Moderate

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)

Aquatic Plants (free-floating, fonds growth, fresh) - 7 day (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic plants (rooted, growth rate, fresh) - 14 day (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Chronic (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

Marine bivalves

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

General

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

High (class III)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 10000

Rat

Low

Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)

5000

Rat

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

> 0.147

Rat

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

Dermal penetration studies (%)

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Occupational

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Metabolised and excreted mainly in the faeces

Health issues

Specific human health issues

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

No data found

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

No data found

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

No further information available

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

Not expected to auto-ignite; Not highly flammable

CLP classification 2013

WHO Classification

Not listed (Not listed)

UN Number

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

nicarbazin

French

German

Danish

Italian

Spanish

Greek

Polish

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

Norwegian

Record last updated:	15/09/2025
Contact:	aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as:	Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242