What is florfenical?

Florfenicol is a synthetic antibiotic belonging to the class of amphenicols. It has broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against various bacteria, including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and is generally used in veterinary medicine to treat respiratory and gastrointestinal infections in cattle, pigs, fish, and poultry.

The mechanism of action of florfenicol is similar to other amphenicols, where it inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 23S ribosomal subunit. It is available as injectable and oral formulations and is typically administered by a veterinarian.

Florfenicol has a relatively long half-life, which allows for once-daily dosing and a prolonged therapeutic effect. However, its prolonged use can lead to the development of bacterial resistance, and it is essential to use it judiciously and only when necessary.

Florfenicol can also have some adverse effects such as injection site reactions, gastrointestinal disturbances, and bone marrow suppression in some animals. Therefore, it is important to use it under the supervision of a veterinarian with proper monitoring.