Baby Safety / Compounds / Aconitine

Is Aconitine safe for babies and kids?

Extreme risk for kids

Infants are highly susceptible to Aconitine due to lower body weight, immature detoxification pathways, and dietary exposure through contaminated grains or breast milk.

What is aconitine?

The IUPAC name is [(1S,2R,3R,4R,5R,6S,7S,8R,9R,13R,14R,16S,17S,18R)-8-acetyloxy-11-ethyl-5,7,14-trihydroxy-6,16,18-trimethoxy-13-(methoxymethyl)-11-azahexacyclo[7.7.2.12,5.01,10.03,8.013,17]nonadecan-4-yl] benzoate.

Also known as: [(1S,2R,3R,4R,5R,6S,7S,8R,9R,13R,14R,16S,17S,18R)-8-acetyloxy-11-ethyl-5,7,14-trihydroxy-6,16,18-trimethoxy-13-(methoxymethyl)-11-azahexacyclo[7.7.2.12,5.01,10.03,8.013,17]nonadecan-4-yl] benzoate, Acetylbenzoylaconine, Aconitinum, Acetylbenzoyl aconine.

IUPAC name
[(1S,2R,3R,4R,5R,6S,7S,8R,9R,13R,14R,16S,17S,18R)-8-acetyloxy-11-ethyl-5,7,14-trihydroxy-6,16,18-trimethoxy-13-(methoxymethyl)-11-azahexacyclo[7.7.2.12,5.01,10.03,8.013,17]nonadecan-4-yl] benzoate
CAS number
302-27-2
Molecular formula
C34H47NO11
Molecular weight
645.7 g/mol
SMILES
CCN1CC2(C(CC(C34C2C(C(C31)C5(C6C4CC(C6OC(=O)C7=CC=CC=C7)(C(C5O)OC)O)OC(=O)C)OC)OC)O)COC
PubChem CID
245005

Risk for babies

Extreme risk

Infants are highly susceptible to Aconitine due to lower body weight, immature detoxification pathways, and dietary exposure through contaminated grains or breast milk.

Neonates and infants up to 12 months have incomplete blood-brain barrier development, immature Phase I/II metabolic enzymes (particularly CYP3A4, UGT1A1), and higher gastrointestinal permeability. Equivalent doses produce higher internal concentrations and longer residence times.

What to do: Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

Risk for pregnant and nursing people

Context-dependent

Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Aconitine, potentially increasing fetal exposure. The developing embryo/fetus is vulnerable during organogenesis (weeks 3-8) and neurological development. Placental transfer should be assumed.

No specific reproductive toxicity data identified, but pregnancy-specific safety data is limited for most chemicals. Precautionary minimization of exposure is recommended.

What to do: Minimize exposure during pregnancy and lactation. Consult healthcare provider regarding specific risks. Consider alternative products with lower hazard profiles.

Regulatory consensus

1 regulatory bodyhas classified Aconitine.

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
Unknown——

Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.

Where kids encounter aconitine

  • Industrial Facilities — Manufacturing plants, Chemical storage areas, Waste treatment sites
  • Occupational Environments — Factories, Warehouses, Transportation vehicles

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Aconitine:

  • Lidocaine topical (for pain)
    Trade-offs: If aconitine exposure is from traditional medicine (aconite root / fuzi): lidocaine provides local anesthesia without cardiotoxicity. OTC availability. Well-characterized safety profile.
    Relative cost: 1.2-2×
  • Capsaicin topical
    Trade-offs: Desensitizes pain nerves (TRPV1). No systemic toxicity at topical doses. Initial burning sensation. Used for neuropathic pain where aconite was traditionally applied.
    Relative cost: 1.2-2×

Frequently asked questions

Is aconitine safe for kids?

Infants are highly susceptible to Aconitine due to lower body weight, immature detoxification pathways, and dietary exposure through contaminated grains or breast milk.

What products contain aconitine?

Aconitine appears in: Manufacturing plants (Industrial facilities); Chemical storage areas (Industrial facilities); Factories (Occupational environments); Warehouses (Occupational environments).

What should I do if my child is exposed to aconitine?

Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

See Aconitine in the baby app

Look up products containing aconitine, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

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Sources (2)
  1. National Capital Poison Center: Aconitine (Aconitum napellus) — Mechanism of Action, Human Poisoning Epidemiology, Cardiac Emergency Management, and Case Fatalities (2014) (2014) — scientific
  2. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Monkshood/Wolfsbane (Aconitum spp.) — Aconitine Cardiotoxicity in Dogs and Cats, Rapid Progression, and Clinical Outcomes (2018) — veterinary

Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →