Top Environmental Fate Ecotoxicology Human Health Translations
Home
A to Z
Search
Support
Edit history
Purchasing and licensing
NEW
- New support docs available
- Newsletter Aug 2025
- User survey
Tetracycline
Last updated: 28/07/2025
(Also known as: omegamycin ; abramycin ; anhydrotetracycline)
GENERAL INFORMATION
Description
Broad spectrum antibiotic compound synthesised or derived from certain microorganisms of the genus Streptomyces used in veterinary products and for aquaculture
Examples of veterinary uses
Used to treat certain bacterial infections and inflammatory skin conditions
Examples of species treated
Pigs; Chickens; Cattle; Poultry; Fish; Sheep
Approval status
VMR 2013/2033 approval status (GB/UK)
Approved
EU Regulatory approval status
Approved
Chemical structure
Isomerism
Isomeric
Chemical formula
C₂₂H₂₄N₂O₈
Canonical SMILES
CC1(C2CC3C(C(=O)C(=C(C3(C(=O)C2=C(C4=C1C=CC=C4O)O)O)O)C(=O)N)N(C)C)O
Isomeric SMILES
C[C@@]1([C@H]2C[C@H]3[C@@H](C(=O)C(=C([C@]3(C(=O)C2=C(C4=C1C=CC=C4O)O)O)O)C(=O)N)N(C)C)O
International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)
OFVLGDICTFRJMM-WESIUVDSSA-N
International Chemical Identifier (InChI)
InChI=1S/C22H24N2O8/c1-21(31)8-5-4-6-11(25)12(8)16(26)13-9(21)7-10-15(24(2)3)17(27)14(20(23)30)19(29)22(10,32)18(13)28/h4-6,9-10,15,25-26,29,31-32H,7H2,1-3H3,(H2,23,30)/t9-,10-,15-,21+,22-/m0/s1
2D structure diagram/image available?
Yes
General status
Veterinary substance type
Antimicrobial, Feed additive
Substance groups
Tetracycline substance
Minimum active substance purity
-
Known relevant impurities
-
Substance origin
Natural
Mode of action
Protein synthesis inhibitor
Molecular targets
[30S ribosomal protein S7, Antagonist], [30S ribosomal protein S14, Antagonist], [30S ribosomal protein S3, Antagonist], [30S ribosomal protein S8, Antagonist], [30S ribosomal protein S19, Antagonist], [16S rRNA, anatogonist], [Major prion protein, Antagonist]
CAS RN
60-54-8
EC number
200-481-9
CIPAC number
-
US EPA chemical code
-
PubChem CID
54675776
Therapeutic Class
Antiinfectants for systemic use; Dermatologicals; Genito urinary system & sex hormones; Sensory organs
ATCvet Code
QJ01AA07;QJ51AA07; QD06AA04; QG01AA90; QG51AA02; QS01AA09; QS02AA08; QS03AA02
Controlled Drug?
No
Regulation 37/2010 MRL Classification
Allowed substance (Table 1: All food producing species)
Molecular mass
444.4
PIN (Preferred Identification Name)
-
IUPAC name
(4S,4αS,5αS,6S,12αR)-4-(dimethylamino)-1,6,10,11,12α-pentahydroxy-6-methyl-3,12-dioxo-4,4α,5,5aα-tetrahydrotetracene-2-carboxamide
CAS name
6-methyl-1,11-dioxy-2-naphthacenecarboxamide
Forever chemical
-
Other status information
PAN Bad Actor chemical, Possible groundwater contaminant
Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards
-
Physical state
Yellow crystalline solid
Commercial
Property
Product
Manufacturer
Authorisation Route
Legal Class (GB/UK)
Availability status
Current
Introduction & key dates
-
Example products (past and present) using this active
Alamycin Solution for Injection Norbrook Laboratories Ltd UK National authorisation Prescription only medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V)
Animedazon Cutaneous Spray antiMedica GmbH GB National authorisation Prescription only medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V)
Aquatet Premix Medicted feeding stuff Pharmaq Ltd UK National authorisation Prescription only medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V)
Bovocycline Pessary IntrauterineTablet Eurovet Animal Health B.V. GB National authorisation Prescription only medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V)
Formulation and application details
Available in a wide range of formulations including solutions for injection, cutaneous sprays, pesseries and medicated feeding stuffs
ENVIRONMENTAL FATE
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)
1700
R4 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications
4 = Verified data
 High
Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)
20
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
Ethanol		 -
Melting point (°C)
172.5
V3 V = ChemID Online Databases; Chemspider; PubChem. (ChemID )
3 = Unverified data of known source
 -
Boiling point (°C)
- - -
Degradation point (°C)
- - -
Flashpoint (°C)
- - -
Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C
P
5.01 X 10-02 Calculated -
Log P
-1.3
V3 V = ChemID Online Databases; Chemspider; PubChem. (ChemID )
3 = Unverified data of known source
 Low
Fat solubility of residues
Solubility
- - -
Data type
- - -
Density (g ml⁻¹)
- - -
Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C
3.3
R4 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications
4 = Verified data
 -
pKa(2)=7.8; pKa(3)=9.6
Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)
4.11 X 10-18
V3 V = ChemID Online Databases; Chemspider; PubChem. (ChemID )
3 = Unverified data of known source
 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
Substance may enter the environment via the urine of treated animals or by leaching from spilt medicated feed.
Degradation
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)
DT₅₀ (typical)
30
R3 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications
3 = Unverified data of known source
 Moderately persistent
DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)
- - -
DT₅₀ (field)
- - -
DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)
- - -
DT₉₀ (field)
- - -
Note
-
Manure DT₅₀ (days)
4.5
R4 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications
4 = Verified data
Aerated pig manure DT₅₀ 9 days non-aerated; Other data 9-17 days in liquid manure		 -
Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7
Value
0.1
R3 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications
3 = Unverified data of known source
 Fast
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
Kd (mL g⁻¹)
-
R4 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications
4 = Verified data
 Non-mobile
Koc (mL g⁻¹)
40000
Notes and range
-
Freundlich
Kf (mL g⁻¹)
- - -
Kfoc (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
-0.89 Calculated Low leachability
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)
807
F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
4 = Verified data
Rat		 Moderate
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)
260.5
F3 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
3 = Unverified data of known source
Danio rerio 1 day		 Low
Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
29.4
F3 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
3 = Unverified data of known source
Daphnia magna		 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) (EC₅₀)
1.0
F3 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
3 = Unverified data of known source
Lemna gibba		 Moderate
Aquatic plants (rooted, growth rate, fresh) - 14 day (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Algae - Acute (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹) (EC₅₀)
2.2
R3 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications
3 = Unverified data of known source
Raphidocelis subcapitata		 Moderate
Algae - Chronic (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Mesocosm study data
NOEAEC mg l⁻¹
- - -
NOEAEC mg l⁻¹
- - -
Marine bivalves – Acute LC₅₀, mortality (mg l⁻¹)
> 520
F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
4 = Verified data
Crassostrea gigas Larva		 -
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)
807
F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
4 = Verified data
Rat		 Moderate
Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)
- - -
Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Other Mammal toxicity endpoints
Intraperitoneal LD₅₀ = 310 mg kg⁻¹
V3 V = ChemID Online Databases; Chemspider; PubChem. (ChemID )
3 = Unverified data of known source
rat		 -
Intravenous LD₅₀ = 129 mg kg⁻¹
V3 V = ChemID Online Databases; Chemspider; PubChem. (ChemID )
3 = Unverified data of known source
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
Excreted unchanged in urine and to a lesser extent, in bile. Also identified in milk.
A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications )
5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
 -
Health issues
Specific human health issues
Carcinogen
Genotoxic
Endocrine disruptor
?Possibly, status not identified
A0 A = Chromosome aberration (EFSA database)
0 = No data
;
B0 B = DNA damage/repair (EFSA database)
0 = No data
;
C0 C = Gene mutation (EFSA database)
0 = No data
;
D0 D = Genome mutation (EFSA database)
0 = No data
;
E1 E = Unspecified genotoxicity type (miscellaneous data source)
1 = Positive
 No data found
Reproduction / development effects Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor Neurotoxicant
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
XNo, known not to cause a problem
 No data found
Respiratory tract irritant Skin irritant Skin sensitiser
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
 No data found
Eye irritant Phototoxicant  
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
 No data found  
General human health issues
May cause produce nausea, abdominal pain and burning and vomiting
May cause renal dysfunction or failure
Acts as co-carcinogen with UV radiation and increases the risk of skin cancer
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
tetracycline
French
tetracycline
German
-
Danish
-
Italian
-
Spanish
tetraciclina
Greek
-
Polish
-
Swedish
-
Hungarian
-
Dutch
-
Norwegian
-
Record last updated: 28/07/2025
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