Ceftiofur hydrochloride

Ceftiofur hydrochloride	Last updated: 14/09/2025
(Also known as: ceftiofur HCl)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

Broad spectrum third generation cephalosporin drug used to treat bacterial infections of the respiratory tract.

Examples of veterinary uses

Typically used to treat bovine respiratory disease caused by Pasteurella spp. and for urinary tract infections in dogs

Examples of species treated

Cattle; Pigs; Horses; Goats; Chickens; Turkeys

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

Ceftiofur hydrochloride exhibits diastereomerism, due to the presence of multiple chiral centres in its complex beta-lactam structure. These chiral centres give rise to (6R,7R)-ceftiofur, the active isomer used in veterinary medicine. The hydrochloride salt form stabilises the molecule.

Chemical formula

C₁₉H₁₈ClN₅O₇S₃

Canonical SMILES

CON=C(C1=CSC(=N1)N)C(=O)NC2C3N(C2=O)C(=C(CS3)CSC(=O)C4=CC=CO4)C(=O)O.Cl

Isomeric SMILES

CO/N=C(/C1=CSC(=N1)N)\C(=O)N[C@H]2[C@@H]3N(C2=O)C(=C(CS3)CSC(=O)C4=CC=CO4)C(=O)O.Cl

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

KEQFDTJEEQKVLM-JUODUXDSSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C19H17N5O7S3.ClH/c1-30-23-11(9-7-34-19(20)21-9)14(25)22-12-15(26)24-13(17(27)28)8(5-32-16(12)24)6-33-18(29)10-3-2-4-31-10;/h2-4,7,12,16H,5-6H2,1H3,(H2,20,21)(H,22,25)(H,27,28);1H/b23-11-;/t12-,16-;/m1./s1

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

General status

Veterinary substance type

Antibacterial, Antibiotic, Medicinal drug

Substance groups

Cephalosporin

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Semi-synthetic

Mode of action

Inhibition of the bacteria cell wall synthesis

Molecular targets

[Beta-lactamase, Agonist]

CAS RN

103980-44-5

EC number

600-507-2

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

PubChem CID

9937686

Therapeutic Class

Antiinfectants for systemic use: Antibacterials for systemic use, Antibacterials for intramammary use

ATCvet Code

QJ01DD90; QJ51DA91

Controlled Drug?

Regulation 37/2010 MRL Classification

Allowed substance (Table 1: All mammalian food producing species)

Molecular mass

560.0

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

(6R,7R)-7-[[(2Z)-2-(2-amino-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)-2-methoxyiminoacetyl]amino]-3-(furan-2-carbonylsulfanylmethyl)-8-oxo-5-thia-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid;hydrochloride

CAS name

Forever chemical

Other status information

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Physical state

Off-white coloured solid

Related substances & organisms

ceftiofur

ceftiofur sodium

Commercial

Property

Value

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

1987, first described; 1990 first registered in USA

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

Vetoquinol UK Ltd
Laboratorios Hipra S.A.
Norbrook Laboratories Ltd
Laboratorios Maymo. S.A.

Example products using this active

Ceftiocyl Suspension for Injection
Eficur Suspension for Injection
Cefenil RTU Suspension Injection
Cemay Suspension Injection

Formulation and application details

Usually supplied as solution for injection

Commercial production

Ceftiofur hydrochloride is synthesised through a multi-step chemical process starting with the cephalosporin nucleus, typically 7-aminocephalosporanic acid (7-ACA) or its derivative 7-ACF. In the first step, the chemical is dissolved in an organic solvent and reacted with an active ester of the side chain, commonly a methoxyiminoacetic acid derivative containing a thiazole ring, under controlled temperature to form the ceftiofur core. After the coupling reaction, hydrochloric acid is added to adjust the pH and precipitate the crude ceftiofur hydrochloride. This crude product is then dissolved in water, treated with activated carbon for purification, and recrystallised by adjusting pH and adding an organic solvent.

Impact on climate of production and use

Published GHG data is not available for most pharmaceuticals. However, according to industry, global averages suggest producing 1 kg of a typical active pharmaceutical ingredient can range from 10 to 100 kg CO₂e for small molecule drugs and potentially up to 1000 kg CO₂e for complex biologicals such as vaccines, depending on the drug type, its formulation, complexity of synthesis, solvent recovery, and energy sources used.

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)

Decomposes before melthing

Boiling point (°C)

Decomposes before boiling

Degradation point (°C)

190

Flashpoint (°C)

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

Log P

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

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

Environmental release may occur via direct deposition of faeces and urine in the field from treated animals or via the spreading of manures and slurry.

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

37.5

as ceftiofur

Moderately persistent

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

Note

General literature values for ceftiofur acid: in clay loam at pH 5 DT₅₀ 22.2 days; sand at pH 7 DT₅₀ 49 days; silty clay loam at pH 9 DT₅₀ 41.1 days

Manure DT₅₀ (days)

1.0

In poultry litter DT₅₀ for ceftiofur was 25 hours; other data: DT₅₀ ceftiofur 1.7-41 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)

3.0

Low potential

CT₅₀ (days)

Not available

Known soil and groundwater metabolites

None

Other known metabolites

Metabolite name and reference

Aliases

Formation medium / Rate

Estimated maximum occurrence fraction

desfuroylceftiofur

DFC

Rat (Urine)

ceftiofur sulfoxide

Rat (Urine)

desfuroylceftiofur

Cattle

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 7760

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 dw soil)

Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹ dw soil)

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)

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

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)

High (class III)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 7760

Rat

Low

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

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

> 8.3

Rat

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

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

May occur through dermal contact

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Rapidly metabolised and eliminated, 60-80% within urine, remainder in faeces

Health issues

Specific human health issues (hazard-based)

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

May cause diarrhoea, colitis, depression in body-weight gain and in serum glucose, and acidification of urine

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

No information available

CLP classification 2013

Health: H334, H317

WHO Classification

Not listed (Not listed)

UN Number

Not regulated

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

Shelf-life as packaged for sale: 3 years. Store in a refrigerator (2ºC - 8ºC) and protect from light.

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

ceftiofur hydrochloride

French

German

Danish

Italian

Spanish

Greek

Polish

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

Norwegian

Record last updated:	14/09/2025
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