amitraz

Amitraz is a non-systemic acaricide and insecticide, first synthesized by the Boots Co. in England in 1969. It is primarily used as a topical treatment for mite or tick infestations in animals, especially dogs, and is also widely used to control Varroa mites in beekeeping. Amitraz acts mainly as an agonist at alpha-2 adrenergic receptors, interacts with octopamine receptors in the central nervous system of insects and mites, inhibits monoamine oxidase (MAO) enzyme activity, and suppresses prostaglandin synthesis. These actions result in overexcitation, paralysis, and death of target parasites while having lower toxicity to mammals[2][4][5][8]. In veterinary medicine it is most commonly used for demodicosis (mange) but can also be applied against other ectoparasites[1][8].

Brand names

Mitaban

Other names

amitraz