Ceftiofur
Ceftiofur is a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic developed specifically for veterinary use. It is administered by injection to treat bacterial infections in livestock including cattle, pigs, horses, and other animals. The medication works by inhibiting cell wall synthesis in susceptible bacteria, making it effective against a broad range of gram-positive and gram-negative organisms.
Ceftiofur is a veterinary antibiotic injection used to treat bacterial infections in livestock such as respiratory infections, foot rot, and metritis.
Key facts at a glance
- RxNorm
- 1311521
- Generic
- Ceftiofur
- Class
- unclassified
- Brands
- Excenel, Spectramast, Excede, Naxcel, Cefenil
- Availability
- rx
- Lactation
- unknown
- Routes
- —
- Forms
- prefilled syringe, suspension, solution
- Regions
- US, EU, CN, JP
- Monitoring
- —
This page is for informational purposes only.
Do not use this information to diagnose yourself or to replace a physician's advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call your local emergency number immediately.
Ceftiofur is used in animals to treat respiratory tract infections (such as bovine respiratory disease and swine pneumonia), bovine foot rot, bovine interdigital necrobacillosis, equine metritis, and other susceptible bacterial infections. It is also used for bovine hepatic necrobacillosis and dairy cow mastitis in some formulations.
As a third-generation cephalosporin, ceftiofur inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs). This leads to disruption of the bacterial cell wall, causing cell death. It has a broad spectrum of activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
Ceftiofur is for veterinary use only and should not be used in humans. It is administered via intramuscular or subcutaneous injection. As with all cephalosporins, animals with known hypersensitivity should not receive this medication. Meat and milk withdrawal times vary by formulation and species, which must be observed for food-producing animals. Resistance may develop with inappropriate use.
Official drug label
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This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 20, 2026. · Read our editorial policy