Tulathromycin A

Tulathromycin A	Last updated: 16/09/2025
(Not known by any other names)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

A semi-synthetic macrolide veterinary drug

Examples of veterinary uses

Used to treat bovine and porcine respiratory diseases, infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis and interdigital necrobacillosis

Examples of species treated

Cattle; Pigs; 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

Tulathromycin A exhibits stereoisomerism, specifically chirality, due to its complex macrolide structure containing multiple asymmetric carbon atoms. These chiral centres give rise to optical isomers. The biologically active form of tulathromycin A is defined by a precise configuration at each chiral centre. Tulathromycin exists as a mixture of isomers, primarily tulathromycin A and tulathromycin B, typically in a 9:1 ratio, with tulathromycin A being the dominant and therapeutically active component.

Chemical formula

C₄₁H₇₉N₃O₁₂

Canonical SMILES

CCCNCC1(C(OC(CC1(C)OC)OC2C(C(C(CC(CNC(C(C(C(OC(=O)C2C)CC)(C)O)O)C)C)(C)O)OC3C(C(CC(O3)C)N(C)C)O)C)C)O

Isomeric SMILES

CCCNC[C@@]1([C@@H](O[C@H](C[C@@]1(C)OC)O[C@H]2[C@@H]([C@H]([C@](C[C@H](CN[C@@H]([C@H]([C@]([C@H](OC(=O)[C@@H]2C)CC)(C)O)O)C)C)(C)O)O[C@H]3[C@@H]([C@H](C[C@H](O3)C)N(C)C)O)C)C)O

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

GUARTUJKFNAVIK-KMKQSXFFSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C41H79N3O12/c1-15-17-42-22-41(50)28(8)53-31(20-39(41,10)51-14)55-33-25(5)35(56-37-32(45)29(44(12)13)18-24(4)52-37)38(9,48)19-23(3)21-43-27(7)34(46)40(11,49)30(16-2)54-36(47)26(33)6/h23-35,37,42-43,45-46,48-50H,15-22H2,1-14H3/t23-,24-,25+,26-,27-,28+,29+,30-,31+,32-,33+,34-,35-,37+,38-,39-,40-,41+/m1/s1

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

General status

Veterinary substance type

Antibiotic, Antibacterial, Medicinal drug

Substance groups

Macrolide

Minimum active substance purity

>940 g/Kg

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Semi-synthetic

Mode of action

Inhibits protein synthesis by selectively binding to 23S ribosomal RNA

Molecular targets

[23S rRNA, Antagonist]

CAS RN

217500-96-4

EC number

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

PubChem CID

9832301

Therapeutic Class

Antiinfectives for systemic use: Antibacterials for systemic use

ATCvet Code

QJ01FA94

Controlled Drug?

Regulation 37/2010 MRL Classification

Allowed susbtance (Table 1: Bovince, Porcine)

Molecular mass

806.23

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

(2R,3S,4R,5R,8R,10R,11R,12S,13S,14R)-11-[(2S,3R,4S,6R)-4-(dimethylamino)-3-hydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxy-2-ethyl-3,4,10-trihydroxy-13-[(2R,4R,5S,6S)-5-hydroxy-4-methoxy-4,6-dimethyl-5-(propylaminomethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-3,5,8,10,12,14-hexamethyl-1-oxa-6-azacyclopentadecan-15-one

CAS name

Forever chemical

Other status information

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Physical state

White to off-white coloured solid

Related substances & organisms

tilmicosin

erythromycin

Commercial

Property

Value

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

Early 2000s, developed; 2003, first EU approvals

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

Chanelle Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Ltd
Dopharma Research B.V.
Pfizer Animal Health

Example products using this active

Chanaxin Solution for Injection
Doraxx Solution for Injection

Formulation and application details

Usually supplied as solution for injection

Commercial production

Tulathromycin A is a semi-synthetic macrolide antibiotic is derived from fermentation of Streptomyces fradiae, which produces tylosin, a natural precursor. This fermentation step is essential, laying the biochemical foundation for tulathromycin’s complex structure. Following fermentation, the tylosin-derived intermediate undergoes a series of chemical transformations, including oxidation, reduction, and a Passerini reaction, to introduce key functional groups like the cyclopropyl and amido moieties. These steps culminate in the formation of tulathromycin A, with high selectivity and minimal by-products, making it suitable for industrial-scale synthesis.

Impact on climate of production and use

As microbial-based products tend to use fermentation-based production processes rather than chemical synthesis, they typically have a lower fossil fuel input in formulation and active ingredient creation, and also have reduced downstream emissions due to biodegradability and minimal soil disruption, their life-cycle GHG emissions are expected to be low. Whilst hard and precise data is not available, broad estimates suggest that typically emissions are likely to be below 5 kg CO₂e/kg. However, the semi-synthetic nature of the production process for this substance is likely to increase emissions.

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

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

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

Melting point (°C)

190

Boiling point (°C)

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

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

Log P

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

1.17

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

8.49

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 metabolites

None

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 2000

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)

> 20

Cyprinodon variegatus marine species

Moderate

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)

> 20

Daphnia magna 1 hr

Moderate

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)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 2000

Rat

Low

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

2000

Rabbit

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

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

0.05

Rat SF=100

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

Excreted with some metabolism but mainly as the unchanged drug in the faeces and urine

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

Possible liver toxicant
May cause diarrhoea and other gastrointestinal problems

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

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Name

English

tulathromycin A

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Swedish

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Record last updated:	16/09/2025
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