Norfenicol Injectable Solution
This treatment applies to the following species:![](https://www.drugs.com/vet/images/1345019_schedule_rx.png)
Approved by FDA under ANADA # 200-591
Product Information
(florfenicol)
300 mg/mL
For intramuscular and subcutaneous use in beef and non-lactating dairy cattle only.
Not for use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older or in calves to be processed for veal.
Norfenicol Injectable Solution Caution
Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.
Description
Norfenicol® Injectable Solution is a solution of the synthetic antibiotic florfenicol. Each milliliter of sterile Norfenicol Injectable Solution contains 300 mg of florfenicol, 250 mg 2-pyrrolidone, and glycerol formal qs. The chemical name for florfenicol is 2,2-Dichloro-N-[1-(_uoromethyl)-2-hydroxy-2-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]ethyl]acetamide.
Norfenicol Injectable Solution Indications
Norfenicol Injectable Solution is indicated for treatment of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) associated with Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, and Histophilus somni, and for the treatment of bovine interdigital phlegmon (foot rot, acute interdigital necrobacillosis, infectious pododermatitis) associated with Fusobacterium necrophorum and Bacteroides melaninogenicus. Also, it is indicated for the control of respiratory disease in cattle at high risk of developing BRD associated with Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, and Histophilus somni.
Dosage and Administration
For treatment of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) and bovine interdigital phlegmon (foot rot): Norfenicol Injectable Solution should be administered by intramuscular injection to cattle at a dose rate of 20 mg/kg body weight (3 mL/100 lbs). A second dose should be administered 48 hours later. Alternatively, Norfenicol Injectable Solution can be administered by a single subcutaneous (SC) injection to cattle at a dose rate of 40 mg/kg body weight (6 mL/100 lbs). Do not administer more than 10 mL at each site. The injection should be given only in the neck.NOTE: Intramuscular injection may result in local tissue reaction which persists beyond 28 days. This may result in trim loss of edible tissue at slaughter. Tissue reaction at injection sites other than the neck is likely to be more severe.
For control of respiratory disease in cattle at high-risk of developing BRD: Norfenicol Injectable Solution should be administered by a single subcutaneous injection to cattle at a dose rate of 40 mg/kg body weight (6 mL/100 lbs). Do not administer more than 10 mL at each site. The injection should be given only in the neck.
NORFENICOL INJECTABLE SOLUTION DOSAGE GUIDE
ANIMAL WEIGHT (lbs) |
IM DOSAGE |
SC DOSAGE |
100 |
3.0 |
6.0 |
200 |
6.0 |
12.0 |
300 |
9.0 |
18.0 |
400 |
12.0 |
24.0 |
500 |
15.0 |
30.0 |
600 |
18.0 |
36.0 |
700 |
21.0 |
42.0 |
800 |
24.0 |
48.0 |
900 |
27.0 |
54.0 |
1000 |
30.0 |
60.0 |
Recommended Injection Location
![](https://www.drugs.com/vet/images/1345019_1345019.png)
Do not inject more than 10 mL per injection site.
Clinical improvement should be evident in most treated subjects within 24 hours of initiation of treatment. If a positive response is not noted within 72 hours of initiation of treatment, the diagnosis should be re-evaluated.
Contraindications
Do not use in animals that have shown hypersensitivity to florfenicol.
WARNINGS: NOT FOR HUMAN USE. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. This product contains materials that can be irritating to skin and eyes. Avoid direct contact with skin, eyes, and clothing. In case of accidental eye exposure, flush with water for 15 minutes. In case of accidental skin exposure, wash with soap and water. Remove contaminated clothing. Consult a physician if irritation persists. Accidental injection of this product may cause local irritation. Consult a physician immediately. The Safety Data Sheet (SDS) contains more detailed occupational safety information.
To report suspected adverse drug events, for technical assistance or to obtain a copy of the Safety Data Sheet (SDS), contact Norbrook at 1-866-591-5777.
Precautions
Not for use in animals intended for breeding purposes. The effects of florfenicol on bovine reproductive performance, pregnancy, and lactation have not been determined. Toxicity studies in dogs, rats, and mice have associated the use of florfenicol with testicular degeneration and atrophy. Intramuscular injection may result in local tissue reaction which persists beyond 28 days. This may result in trim loss of edible tissue at slaughter. Tissue reaction at injection sites other than the neck is likely to be more severe.![]() |
RESIDUE WARNINGS: Animals intended for human consumption must not be slaughtered within 28 days of the last intramuscular treatment. Animals intended for human consumption must not be slaughtered within 33 days of subcutaneous treatment. This product is not approved for use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older, including dry dairy cows. Use in these cattle may cause drug residues in milk and/or in calves born to these cows. A withdrawal period has not been established in pre-ruminating calves. Do not use in calves to be processed for veal. |
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Adverse Reactions
Inappetence, decreased water consumption, or diarrhea may occur transiently following treatment.Clinical Pharmacology
The pharmacokinetic disposition of florfenicol injectable solution was evaluated in feeder calves following single intramuscular (IM) administration at the recommended dose of 20 mg/kg body weight. Florfenicol injectable solution was also administered intravenously (IV) to the same cattle in order to calculate the volume of distribution, clearance, and percent bioavailability1 (Table 1).TABLE 1. Pharmacokinetic Parameter Values for Florfenicol Following IM Administration of 20 mg/kg Body Weight to Feeder Calves (n=10).
Parameter |
Median |
Range |
Cmax (µg/mL) |
3.07* |
1.43 - 5.60 |
Tmax (hr) |
3.33 |
0.75 - 8.00 |
T 1/2 (hr) |
18.3** |
8.30 - 44.0 |
AUC (µg•min/mL) |
4242 |
3200 - 6250 |
Bioavailability (%) |
78.5 |
59.3 - 106 |
Vdss (L/kg)*** |
0.77 |
0.68 - 0.85 |
Clt (mL/min/kg)*** |
3.75 |
3.17 - 4.31 |
* harmonic mean
** mean value
*** following IV administration
Cmax Maximum serum concentration
Tmax Time at which Cmax is observed
T 1/2 Biological half-life
AUC Area under the curve
Vdss Volume of distribution at steady state
Clt Total body clearance
Florfenicol was detectible in the serum of most animals through 60 hours after intramuscular administration with a mean concentration of 0.19 µg/mL. The protein binding of florfenicol was 12.7%, 13.2%, and 18.3% at serum concentrations of 0.5, 3.0, and 16.0 µg/mL, respectively.
MICROBIOLOGY: Florfenicol is a synthetic, broad-spectrum antibiotic active against many Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria isolated from domestic animals. It acts by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit and inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis. Florfenicol is generally considered a bacteriostatic drug, but exhibits bactericidal activity against certain bacterial species. In vitro studies demonstrate that florfenicol is active against the bovine respiratory disease (BRD) pathogens Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, and Histophilus somni, and that florfenicol exhibits bactericidal activity against strains of M. haemolytica and H. somni. Clinical studies confirm the efficacy of florfenicol against BRD as well as against commonly isolated bacterial pathogens in bovine interdigital phlegmon including Fusobacterium necrophorum and Bacteroides melaninogenicus.
The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of florfenicol for BRD organisms were determined using isolates obtained from natural infections from 1990 to 1993. The MICs for interdigital phlegmon organisms were determined using isolates obtained from natural infections from 1973 to 1997 (Table 2).
TABLE 2. Florfenicol Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) Values* of Indicated Pathogens Isolated From Natural Infections of Cattle.
Indicated Pathogens |
Year of Isolation |
Number of isolates |
MIC50** |
MIC90** |
Mannheimia haemolytica |
1990 to 1993 |
398 |
0.5 |
1 |
Pasteurella multocida |
1990 to 1993 |
350 |
0.5 |
0.5 |
Histophilus somni |
1990 to 1993 |
66 |
0.25 |
0.5 |
Fusobacterium necrophorum |
1973 to 1997 |
33 |
0.25 |
0.25 |
Bacteroides melaninogenicus |
1973 to 1997 |
20 |
0.25 |
0.25 |
* The correlation between the in vitro susceptibility data and clinical effectiveness is unknown.
** The lowest MIC to encompass 50% and 90% of the most susceptible isolates, respectively.
ANIMAL SAFETY: A 10X safety study was conducted in feeder calves. Two intramuscular injections of 200 mg/kg were administered at a 48-hour interval. The calves were monitored for 14 days after the second dose. Marked anorexia, decreased water consumption, decreased body weight, and increased serum enzymes were observed following dose administration. These effects resolved by the end of the study.
A 1X, 3X, and 5X (20, 60, and 100 mg/kg) safety study was conducted in feeder calves for 3X the duration of treatment (6 injections at 48-hour intervals). Slight decrease in feed and water consumption was observed in the 1X dose group. Decreased feed and water consumption, body weight, urine pH, and increased serum enzymes, were observed in the 3X and 5X dose groups. Depression, soft stool consistency, and dehydration were also observed in some animals (most frequently at the 3X and 5X dose levels), primarily near the end of dosing.
A 43-day controlled study was conducted in healthy cattle to evaluate effects of florfenicol injectable solution administered at the recommended dose on feed consumption. Although a transient decrease in feed consumption was observed, florfenicol injectable solution administration had no long-term effect on body weight, rate of gain, or feed consumption.
STORAGE INFORMATION: Store at or below 77°F (25°C). Refrigeration is not required. Excursions permitted up to 86°F (30°C). Brief exposure to temperature up to 104°F (40°C) may be tolerated provided the mean kinetic temperature does not exceed 77°F (25°C); however, such exposure should be minimized. The solution is light yellow to straw colored. Color does not affect potency.
Use within 28 days of first vial puncture.
How Supplied
Norfenicol Injectable Solution is packaged in 100 mL, 250 mL, and 500 mL sterile multiple-dose vials.REFERENCE: 1 Lobell RD, Varma KJ, et al. Pharmacokinetics of florfenicol following intravenous and intramuscular doses to cattle. J Vet Pharmacol Therap. 1994; 17: 253-258.
Restricted Drug - California. Use Only as Directed.
Made in the UK.
Manufactured by: Norbrook Laboratories Limited, Newry, BT35 6PU, Co. Down, Northern Ireland.
The Norbrook logos and Norfenicol® are registered trademarks of Norbrook Laboratories Limited.
162670I02
November 2020
CPN: 1345019.1
9733 LOIRET BLVD., LENEXA, KS, 66219
Telephone: | 913-599-5777 | |
Fax: | 913-599-5766 | |
Website: | www.norbrookinc.com |
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