Cefapirin

Cefapirin	Last updated: 07/09/2025
(Also known as: cephapirin; cephapirine; cefadyl)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

A broad spectrum antibiotic active against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria used as a growth promoters, and chemotherapeutic, and/or prophylactic agents.

Examples of veterinary uses

Used to treat infections of soft tissue and bone due to bacteria that are resistant to other commonly used antimicrobials

Examples of species treated

Cattle

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

Cefapirin exhibits stereoisomerism, specifically diastereomerism, due to its bicyclic beta-lactam-thiazolidine ring system. The molecule contains two chiral centres at positions 6 and 7 of the cephalosporin core, which are typically configured as 6R,7R in the active form. These stereocentres are crucial for the drug’s ability to bind to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) and inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis.

Chemical formula

C₁₇H₁₇N₃O₆S₂

Canonical SMILES

CC(=O)OCC1=C(N2C(C(C2=O)NC(=O)CSC3=CC=NC=C3)SC1)C(=O)O

Isomeric SMILES

CC(=O)OCC1=C(N2[C@@H]([C@@H](C2=O)NC(=O)CSC3=CC=NC=C3)SC1)C(=O)O

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

UQLLWWBDSUHNEB-CZUORRHYSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C17H17N3O6S2/c1-9(21)26-6-10-7-28-16-13(15(23)20(16)14(10)17(24)25)19-12(22)8-27-11-2-4-18-5-3-11/h2-5,13,16H,6-8H2,1H3,(H,19,22)(H,24,25)/t13-,16-/m1/s1

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre diagrams

Common Name	Relationship	Link
cefapirin hydrogen sulfate	Variant

General status

Veterinary substance type

Antibiotic, Antibacterial, Medicinal drug

Substance groups

Cephalosporin

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Synthetic

Mode of action

Inhibits bacterial cell-wall synthesis

Molecular targets

[Penicillin-binding proteins 1A/1B, Antagonist]

CAS RN

21593-23-7

EC number

244-466-5

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

PubChem CID

30699

Therapeutic Class

Antiinfectants for systemic use: Antibacterials for intramammary use

ATCvet Code

QJ51DA30

Controlled Drug?

Regulation 37/2010 MRL Classification

Allowed substance (Table 1: Bovine)

Molecular mass

423.46

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

(6R,7R)-3-[(acetyloxy)methyl]-8-oxo-7- {[(pyridin-4-ylsulfanyl)acetyl]amino}-5-thia- 1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid

CAS name

7-(2-(4-pyridylthio)acetamido)cephalosporanic acid

Forever chemical

Other status information

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Physical state

White crystalline powder

Commercial

Property

Product

Manufacturer

Authorisation Route

Legal Class (GB/UK)

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

Example products (past and present) using this active

Mastiplan suspension for lactating cows

MSD Animal Health UK Ltd

GB National authorisation

Prescription only medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V)

Bimacure Intrauterine Supension

Bimeda Animal Health UK Ltd

UK National authorisation

Prescription only medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V)

Metricure 500 mg intrauterine suspension

MSD Animal Health UK Ltd

UK National authorisation

Prescription only medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V)

Formulation and application details

Often formulated as suspension solutions for intramammary, interuterine administration

Commercial production

The production of cefapirin begins with the core beta-lactam structure known as 7-aminocephalosporanic acid, which serves as the foundational scaffold for most cephalosporins. The first key step involves acylation of the 7-amino group using bromoacetyl chloride, forming a bromoacetamido derivative. This intermediate then undergoes nucleophilic substitution with 4-mercaptopyridine, replacing the bromine atom and introducing the pyridylthio side chain that defines cefapirin’s antibacterial profile. The reaction is typically carried out under controlled temperature and pH conditions to preserve the integrity of the beta-lactam ring.

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)

1030

High

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

Melting point (°C)

Boiling point (°C)

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

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

7.08 X 10^-02

Calculated

Log P

-1.15

Low

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

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

desacetylcefapirin

Animal (Milk)

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 14000

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)

> 14000

Rat

Low

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

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

Subcutaneous LD₅₀ > 14400 mg kg⁻¹

Rat

Intravenous LD₅₀ = 6048 mg kg⁻¹

Rat

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

Majority (70-90%) of administered dose is eliminated unchanged in the urine. Substance can cross the placenta and can be identified in milk.

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

May cause contact dermatitis or hypersensitivity

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

cefapirin

French

cefapirine

German

Danish

Italian

Spanish

cefapirina

Greek

Polish

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

Norwegian

Record last updated:	07/09/2025
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