Florfenicol is a synthetic broad-spectrum antibiotic that is effective against most Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria isolated from domestic animals. Florfenicol, a fluorinated derivative of chloramphenicol, acts by inhibiting protein synthesis at the ribosomal level and is bacteriostatic. Florfenicol does not carry the risk of inducing human aplastic anaemia that is associated with the use of chloramphenicol, and also has activity against some chloramphenicol-resistant strains of bacteria.

Indications

Florfenicol Oral is indicated for preventive and therapeutic treatment of gastrointestinal and respiratory tract infections, caused by florfenicol sensitive micro-organisms such as Actinobaccillus spp. Pasteurella spp. Salmonella spp. and Streptococcus spp. in swine and poultry. The presence of the disease in the herd should be established before preventive treatment. Medication should be initiated promptly when respiratory disease is diagnosed.

Administration and Dosage

For oral administration. The appropriate final dosage should be based on the daily water consumption.

Swine: 1 litre per 500 litre drinking water (200 ppm; 20 mg/kg body weight) for 5 days.

Poultry: 300 ml per 100 litre drinking water (300 ppm; 30 mg/kg body weight) for 3 days.

Side Effect

A decrease in food and water consumption and transient softening of the faeces or diarrhoea may occur during the treatment period. The treated animals recover quickly and completely upon termination of treatment.

In swine, commonly observed adverse effects are diarrhoea, peri-anal and rectal erythema/ oedema and prolapse of the rectum. These effects are transient.

Withdrawal Times

For meat:

Swine: 21 days.

Poultry: 7 days.

Storage

Store below 25ºC, in a cool and dry place, and protect from light.

For Veterinary UseOnly , Keep out of reach of children