What is hydrazine sulfate?

Hydrazine is a chemical compound. It is a colorless liquid with an ammonia-like odor. Hydrazine is converted to solid salts by treatment with mineral acids. A common salt is hydrazine sulfate, which is marketed as having the potential to reduce weight loss and cachexia (physical wasting with loss of weight and muscle mass caused by disease) associated with cancer, and to improve general appetite status However, based on studies in humans, hydrazine sulfate has not been proven effective for improving appetite, reducing weight loss, or improving survival in adults with small cell lung cancer (when used as adjuvant therapy) or metastatic colorectal cancer (when used alone).

Hydrazine sulfate causes liver damage in rodents. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have determined that hydrazine sulfate may have cancer-causing effects.

Other applications of hydrazine include: corrosion inhibitor, herbicide and pesticide component, laboratory reagent, refining rare metals, soldering flux for light metals, silvering of mirrors, and rocket fuel.