It also has insecticidal and herbicidal actions. It is rapidly and thoroughly absorbed by the skin. Mechanistically, PCP uncouples oxidative phosphorylation, resulting in anoxic anoxia. It may also cause chloracne and hepatotoxicity commonly seen with other organochlorine pesticides. At least two deaths and numerous poisonings have been reported in infants who were exposed to contaminated diapers.
Treatment is primarily supportive and symptomatic.
These progress to cyanosis, convulsions, ventricular fibrillation, respiratory arrest and death. There is some species specificity. In humans and other primates, horses, and rabbits, death is most often due to V fib. In dogs, death most often occurs due to respiratory failure. It is used specifically as a possum poison in New Zealand and is marketed as a general rodenticide in other countries.