Urgent: New Veterinary Antibiotic ZACTRAN® Approved for Cattle, Sheep & Pigs – Addressing Respiratory & Foot Health
[Image Placeholder: A veterinarian examining a sheep or cow, or a close-up of the ZACTRAN® packaging. Alt text: Veterinarian examining livestock, ZACTRAN® antibiotic]
PARIS, FRANCE – A new weapon in the fight against common livestock diseases has been approved for use across Europe. ZACTRAN®, a gamithromycin-based injectable solution developed by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH, has received the green light for treating respiratory illnesses in cattle and pigs, and systemic footrot in sheep. This breaking news, sourced directly from the Med’Vet database, promises to offer veterinarians and farmers a new tool to combat significant economic and animal welfare challenges.
What is ZACTRAN® and How Does it Work?
ZACTRAN® 150 mg/mL is a solution for injection containing 150mg of the active ingredient, gamithromycin, per milliliter. Gamithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic, meaning it works by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis, effectively stopping bacterial growth. The drug is indicated for:
- Cattle: Treatment and prevention of Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) caused by Histophilus somni, Mannheimia haemolytica, and Pasteurella multocida.
- Pigs: Treatment of Porcine Respiratory Disease (PRD) associated with Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Bordetella bronchiseptica, Glaesserella parasuis, and Pasteurella multocida.
- Sheep: Systemic treatment of infectious pododermatitis (footrot) caused by Dichelobacter nodosus and Fusobacterium necrophorum.
Dosage is a single injection of 6mg of gamithromycin per kilogram of body weight (1mL per 25kg). Specific administration routes vary by species – subcutaneous for cattle and sheep, intramuscular for pigs.
Important Precautions and Considerations
While ZACTRAN® offers a promising new treatment option, responsible use is paramount. The product leaflet highlights several crucial precautions:
- Antibiotic Resistance: Cross-resistance with other macrolides is possible. Susceptibility testing is recommended before use, and concurrent administration with similar antibiotics should be avoided. This is a critical point in the ongoing battle against antimicrobial resistance – a global health threat.
- Footrot in Sheep: Antibiotic treatment alone isn’t enough. Effective footrot management requires a dry environment and good husbandry practices.
- Hypersensitivity: Individuals with known macrolide allergies should avoid contact.
- Pregnancy & Lactation: The safety of ZACTRAN® during pregnancy and lactation hasn’t been fully established; a benefit/risk assessment by a veterinarian is essential.
Common side effects include edema (swelling) and pain at the injection site, generally mild and resolving within a few days. Reporting any adverse effects to the marketing authorization holder or national authorities is strongly encouraged.
The Bigger Picture: Antimicrobial Stewardship in Livestock
The approval of ZACTRAN® arrives at a time of increasing scrutiny regarding antibiotic use in agriculture. Globally, there’s a growing push for antimicrobial stewardship – the responsible use of antibiotics to minimize the development of resistance. Choosing antibiotics based on sensitivity testing, using the narrowest-spectrum antibiotic possible, and implementing preventative measures are all key components of this strategy. The leaflet emphasizes the importance of using an antibiotic with a lower risk of resistance selection as a first-line treatment whenever feasible.
[Image Placeholder: A graphic illustrating the cycle of antibiotic resistance. Alt text: Antibiotic resistance cycle]
This new antibiotic provides another tool for veterinarians, but it’s crucial to remember that antibiotics are not a silver bullet. Integrated approaches to animal health, focusing on biosecurity, nutrition, and overall management, remain the cornerstone of preventing disease and reducing reliance on antimicrobial treatments.
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