 |
CR
CR is a potent sensory irritant. CR is the parent compound of Loxapine Succinate, an Anti-Psychotic drug. CR is usually disseminated in a liquid solution with a propylene glycol base. CR’s physical properties are similar to those of CS, but CR’s effects on the individual are more severe. In addition to affecting the eyes and respiratory tract, CR induces intense skin pain. CR causes eye pain and excessive tearing. Slight edema to the eye lids may last for 2 to 6 hours. Skin pain and reddening are CR’s two main effects. Although burning sensation may last for 15 to 30 minutes, the reddening may persist for several hours. Areas of the skin previously exposed to CR may become painful again when exposed to water even after 24 hours or longer. CR, when entering the mouth, causes a burning sensation, excessive salivation, sore throat, and a mucous discharge from the nose. Health Hazards of CR CR appears to have a greater safety ratio than either CN or CS. However, CR is a relatively toxic agent and the mortal dose in a human subject is of the same order of magnitude as the other war gases. In a poorly ventilated environment an individual can inhale a fatal dose within minutes. Death results from asphyxiation associated with the development of pulmonary edema. CR medical treatment is largely palliative (to lessen the severity without cure), and induces reassurance, removal of contaminated clothing, and washing of eyes and skin. Eye pain can be relieved with medications. Due to CR’s persistent and long-term effect, presently very few liability conscious agencies use this agent.
The New England Journal of Medicine "CR - A NEW IRRITANT AGENT" The medical community has been educated about the nature of the active agents involved (i.e., alpha-chloroacetophenone [CN] and ortho-chlorobenzalmalononitrile {CS]) and the need for prompt decontamination to minimize cutaneous trauma and the possibility of sensitization. Physicians should now be aware that a third irritant agent is available as an alternative to CN and CS. This agent, dibenz[b,fl [1,41oxazepine (CR), is a potent sensory irritant. Patients should be informed that areas of the skin previously exposed to CR may become painful again when exposed to water even after 24 hours or longer. The structure of CR is that of two benzene rings doubly linked to one another via an ether linkage and an azomethine function (-CH=N-), thus affording a central 7-membered ring. CR can be considered to be a derivative of salicylaldehyde. Also, the relation of CR to the antipsychotic agent loxapine succinate. (Loxitane) has not previously been noted. Loxapine succinate is the succinic acid salt of 2-chloro-11-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)dibenz[b,f] [1,4]oxazepine. CR is the parent compound of loxapine. Replacement of the azomethine hydrogen with the heterocyclic ring and replacement of an aryl hydrogen with chlorine furnishes loxapine. Another common bond also exists between the irritant agents and loxapine; they all effect a rapid and marked decline in aggressive behavior. Further Readings
|
