Cefoperazone

Cefoperazone	Last updated: 15/09/2025
(Also known as: cephoperazone)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

A broad spectrum antibiotic used against gram-positive, gram-negative and anaerobic bacteria

Examples of veterinary uses

Used to treat bacterial infections including those affecting the respiratory tract, abdomen, skin, and female genital tracts. Also used to manage clinical mastitis in lactating cows

Examples of species treated

Cattle; Horses; Sheep

Approval status

VMR 2013/2033 approval status (GB/UK)

Approved - usually available as a prescription only medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V)

EU Regulatory approval status

Approved

Chemical structure

Isomerism

Cefoperazone exhibits stereoisomerism, specifically optical isomerism, due to the presence of chiral centres in its molecular structure. The key chiral centres are located at the 6th and 7th positions of the beta-lactam ring and the dihydrothiazine ring, which are common to all cephalosporins. In cefoperazone, the configuration is typically (6R,7R), which is essential for its antibacterial activity. Additionally, the side chain attached to the 7-position contains another chiral centre, contributing to the molecule’s overall stereochemistry. The stereochemistry of cefoperazone is crucial because only specific isomers can effectively bind to penicillin-binding proteins in bacterial cell walls, thereby inhibiting peptidoglycan cross-linking and leading to bacterial cell death.

Chemical formula

C₂₅H₂₇N₉O₈S₂

Canonical SMILES

CCN1CCN(C(=O)C1=O)C(=O)NC(C2=CC=C(C=C2)O)C(=O)NC3C4N(C3=O)C(=C(CS4)CSC5=NN=NN5C)C(=O)O

Isomeric SMILES

CCN1CCN(C(=O)C1=O)C(=O)N[C@H](C2=CC=C(C=C2)O)C(=O)N[C@H]3[C@@H]4N(C3=O)C(=C(CS4)CSC5=NN=NN5C)C(=O)O

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

GCFBRXLSHGKWDP-XCGNWRKASA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C25H27N9O8S2/c1-3-32-8-9-33(21(39)20(32)38)24(42)27-15(12-4-6-14(35)7-5-12)18(36)26-16-19(37)34-17(23(40)41)13(10-43-22(16)34)11-44-25-28-29-30-31(25)2/h4-7,15-16,22,35H,3,8-11H2,1-2H3,(H,26,36)(H,27,42)(H,40,41)/t15-,16-,22-/m1/s1

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

General status

Veterinary substance type

Antibiotic, Antibacterial, Medicinal drug

Substance groups

Cephalosporin

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Semi-synthetic

Mode of action

Broad-spectrum, inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis

Molecular targets

[Peptidoglycan synthetase ftsI, Antagonist], [Penicillin-binding protein 1B, Antagonist], [Penicillin-binding protein 2, Antagonist], [Penicillin-binding protein 1A, Antagonist], [Penicillin-binding protein 1B, Antagonist], [D-alanyl-D-alanine carboxypeptidase dacC, Antagonist], [Penicillin-binding protein 1A, Antagonist], [Penicillin-binding protein 5 precursor, Antagonist], [Penicillin-binding protein 4, Antagonist]

CAS RN

62893-19-0

EC number

263-749-4

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

PubChem CID

44187

Therapeutic Class

Antiinfectants for systemic use: Antibacterials for intramammary

ATCvet Code

QJ51DA32

Controlled Drug?

Regulation 37/2010 MRL Classification

Allowed substance (Table 1: Bovine)

Molecular mass

645.67

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

(6R,7S)-7-{[2-[(4-ethyl-2,3-dioxo-piperazine-1-carbonyl)amino]-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)acetyl}amino]-3-[(1-methyltetrazol-5-yl)sulfanylmethyl]-8-oxo-5-thia-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid

CAS name

Forever chemical

Other status information

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Physical state

Solid

Commercial

Property

Value

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

1974, patented; 1981, first clinical approvals

Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically

Zoetis UK Ltd

Example products using this active

Pathocef Intramammary Suspension

Formulation and application details

Often formulated as an intramammary suspension liquid

Commercial production

Cefoperazone is synthesised through a multi-step chemical process that begins with the condensation of alpha-(4-ethyl-2,3-dioxo-1-piperazinocarbonylamino)-p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid with 7-amino-3-[(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)thiomethyl]-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid. This reaction is typically carried out in the presence of ethyl chlorocarbonate and N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)acetamide in an organic solvent like acetonitrile, forming cefoperazone sodium as the final product.

Impact on climate of production and use

Published GHG data is not available for most pharmaceuticals. However, according to industry, global averages suggest producing 1 kg of a typical active pharmaceutical ingredient can range from 10 to 100 kg CO₂e for small molecule drugs and potentially up to 1000 kg CO₂e for complex biologicals such as vaccines, depending on the drug type, its formulation, complexity of synthesis, solvent recovery, and energy sources used.

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

64.2

Moderate

Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

Melting point (°C)

169

Boiling point (°C)

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C

1.82 X 10^-01

Calculated

Log P

-0.74

Low

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

1.28 X 10^-24

Low volatility

Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)

Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost

From plant surface

From soil surface

Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

Refractive Index

Environmental release

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

Note

Manure DT₅₀ (days)

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

Note

Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7

Value

Note

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Sediment phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Air degradation

As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below.

Decay in stored produce DT₅₀

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d (mL g⁻¹)

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

Notes and range

Freundlich

K_f (mL g⁻¹)

K_foc (mL g⁻¹)

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Fate indices

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

GUS leaching potential index

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

CT₅₀ (days)

Known soil and groundwater metabolites

None

Other known metabolites

Metabolite name and reference

Aliases

Formation medium / Rate

Estimated maximum occurrence fraction

Ref: T-1551-A

Rat (Urine, Bile)

Ref: T-1551-D

Rat (Faeces)

Ref: T-1551-F

Rat (Urine, Bile)

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 15000

Rat

Low

Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL

(mg kg⁻¹)

(ppm diet)

Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)

Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹)

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Non-target plants

Vegetative vigour ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Seedling emergence ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Chronic

Notes

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Mason bees (Osmia spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Other bee species (1)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Other bee species (2)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)

Beneficial insects (Lacewings)

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)

Aquatic Plants (free-floating, fonds growth, fresh) - 7 day (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic plants (rooted, growth rate, fresh) - 14 day (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Chronic (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

Marine bivalves

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

General

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

High (class III)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 15000

Rat

Low

Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

Dermal penetration studies (%)

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Occupational

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

In rats paranteral administration led to excretion mainly in the bile with little metabolism. However with rabbits, dogs and mokey the majority is lost in the urine. Oral administration leads to excretion in the faeces.

Health issues

Specific human health issues

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

No data found

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

No data found

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

No data found

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

Harmful by skin contact and inhalation
Possible blood toxicant

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

No information available

CLP classification 2013

WHO Classification

Not listed (Not listed)

UN Number

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

cefoperazone

French

German

Danish

Italian

Spanish

cefoperazono

Greek

Polish

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

Norwegian

Record last updated:	15/09/2025
Contact:	aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as:	Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242