Oxytetracycline |
![]() Last updated: 26/08/2025 |
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(Also known as: terramycin; oxytracyl; oxytetrin; terramitsin; oxitetracycline; crop antibiotic; liquamycin) |
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A highly active broad spectrum antibiotic used to control infection animals diseses and bacterial pathogens. Usually used as the hydrochloride salt. | |
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Used to control gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases as well as some skin conditions including Rickettsial infections, Lupus | |
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Calves; Non-lactating dairy cattle; Beef; Pigs; Fish; Poultry; Cats; Dogs |
Approval status |
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Approved | |
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Approved |
Chemical structure |
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Oxytetracycline exhibits complex stereoisomerism, with six chiral centres in its molecular structure, allowing for multiple stereoisomers. These chiral centres are located at carbon atoms 4, 4a, 5, 5a, 6, and 12a, and their configuration significantly influences the compound’s biological activity and chemical behaviour. Additionally, oxytetracycline can undergo tautomerization and epimerization, especially under varying pH conditions, leading to the formation of inactive derivatives such as anhydrotetracyclines and isotetracyclines. These transformations affect its stability and efficacy, making isomerism a critical factor in its environmental fate. | |
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C₂₂H₂₄N₂O₉ | |
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CC1(C2C(C3C(C(=O)C(=C(C3(C(=O)C2=C(C4=C1C=CC=C4O)O)O)O)C(=O)N)N(C)C)O)O | |
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C[C@@]1([C@H]2[C@@H]([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)O | |
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IWVCMVBTMGNXQD-PXOLEDIWSA-N | |
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InChI=1S/C22H24N2O9/c1-21(32)7-5-4-6-8(25)9(7)15(26)10-12(21)17(28)13-14(24(2)3)16(27)11(20(23)31)19(30)22(13,33)18(10)29/h4-6,12-14,17,25,27-29,32-33H,1-3H3,(H2,23,31)/t12-,13-,14+,17+,21-,22+/m1/s1 | |
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Yes |
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Common Name | Relationship | Link |
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oxytetracycline | - | ![]() |
General status |
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Bactericide, Antimicrobial, Antiseptic, Medicated feed additive | |
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Antimicrobial | |
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Micro-organism derived substance | |
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Natural | |
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Broad-spectrum, protein synthesis inhibitor and binds to the 30S and 50S bacterial ribosomal subunits | |
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[30S ribosomal protein S9, Antagonist], [30S ribosomal protein S4, Antagonist], [16S rRNA, Antagonist] | |
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79-57-2 | |
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2058-46-0; 6153-64-6 (dihydrate) | |
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201-212-8 | |
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316 | |
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006308 | |
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Dermatologicals: Antibiotics and chemotherapeutics for dermatological use; Antiinfectants for systemic use: Antibacterials for systemic use | |
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QD06AA03 for topical use; QJ01AA06 for systemic use; Others available | |
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No | |
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Allowed substance (Table 1: All food producing species) | |
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460.44 | |
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(4S,4aR,5S,5aR,6S,12aS)-4-dimethylamino-1,4,4a,5,5a,6,11,12a-octahydro-3,5,6,10,12,12a-hexahydroxy-6-methyl-1,11-dioxonaphthacene-2-carboxamide | |
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(4S,4aR,5S,5aR,6S,12aS)-4-(dimethylamino)-1,4,4a,5,5a,6,11,12a-octahydro-3,5,6,10,12,12a-hexahydroxy-6-methyl-1,11-dioxo-2-naphthacenecarboxamide | |
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Possible groundwater contaminant | |
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Pale yellow to tan coloured crystalline powder | |
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Commercial |
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Current | |||||||||
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1974, first registered USA | |||||||||
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Alamycin Solution for Injection | Norbrook Laboratories Ltd | UK National authorisation | Prescription only medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V) | ||||||
Engemycin DD Solution for Injection | MSD Animal Health UK Ltd | UK National authorisation | Prescription only medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V) | |||||||
Hypersol Powder for Drinking Water | Huvepharma SA | GB National authorisation | Prescription only medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V) | |||||||
Cyclosol LA 200mg/ml Solution for Injection | Eurovet Animal Health B.V. | GB National authorisation | Prescription only medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V) | |||||||
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Currently available formulations include solutions for injection, cutaneous sprays, powders for adding to drinking water and medicated premix feeds |
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600 | 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 |
Moderate | ||||||||
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Decomposes on melting | 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 |
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179 | 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 |
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Substance may enter the environment via the faeces of treated animals or by leaching from spilt medicated feed. Monitoring studies have identified this substance in livestock manures. |
Degradation |
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43.8 | R4 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications Aerobic sediment slurry; Other data DT₅₀ (1) 79 days slurry; (2) 12,0-15.4 day slurry4 = Verified data |
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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. | ||||||||||
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Soil adsorption and mobility |
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Fate indices |
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0.6 | J2 J = Pesticide Action Network database (click here ) Mollusca2 = Unverified data of unknown source |
Low potential | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Not available | - |
Known metabolites |
None
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Terrestrial ecotoxicology |
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7200 | 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 ) Mouse4 = Verified data |
Low | ||||||||
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> 5620 | 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 ) Anas platyrhynchos as HCl variant3 = Unverified data of known source |
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1954 | R3 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications as HCl variant3 = Unverified data of known source |
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100 | 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 ) as HCl variant3 = Unverified data of known source |
Moderate | ||||||||
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Aquatic ecotoxicology |
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116 | 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 ) Oncorhynchus mykiss as HCl variant3 = Unverified data of known source |
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102 | 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 ) Daphnia magna as HCl variant3 = Unverified data of known source |
Low | ||||||||
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46.2 | R3 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications Daphnia magna as HCl variant3 = Unverified data of known source |
Low | ||||||||
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0.372 | R3 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications Raphidocelis subcapitata as HCl variant3 = Unverified data of known source |
Moderate | ||||||||
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0.183 | R3 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications Raphidocelis subcapitata as HCl variant3 = Unverified data of known source |
Moderate | ||||||||
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General |
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High (class III) | - | - | ||||||||
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7200 | 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 ) Mouse4 = Verified data |
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Systemically available oxytetracycline was primarily excreted in the urine and bile | Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
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Health issues |
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May cause hypersensitivity reactions May cause tooth discoloration |
Handling issues |
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No information available | |||
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Health: H302, H312, H317, H332, H360d Environment: H400, H410 |
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Not listed (Not listed) | |||
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oxytetracycline | ||
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oxytetracycline | ||
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Oxytetracyclin | ||
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oxytetracyclin | ||
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oxytetracicline | ||
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oxitetraciclina | ||
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oksytetracyklina | ||
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Record last updated: | 26/08/2025 |
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 |