Apramycin: veterinary dose and monograph

At a glance

Drug class

Antibiotic

Also known as

Apralan

Species with doses

Cattle, Pigs and Poultry

General dose range

10–20 mg/kg PO q24h — check the species tables for the indication

Routes

PO

Last reviewed

1 October 2026

Indications

• Neonatal colibacillosis (scours) in piglets and calves
• Salmonellosis (enteric) in pigs/calves
• Poultry colibacillosis (water medication)
• Enteric Gram-negative infections including some aminoglycoside-resistant strains

Apramycin dose by species

Doses are per administration unless stated. mg/kg doses scale with body weight; per-animal, per-quarter and infusion-rate doses are shown as the reference writes them.

Cattle

• Calf colibacillosis (oral): Plumb’s p.109 (Apralan UK label): calves 20–40 mg/kg/day in water, milk or milk replacer for 5 days by severity. UK slaughter withdrawal 28 days.

Pigs

• Colibacillosis / salmonellosis (oral): Plumb’s p.109 (Apralan label): 12.5 mg/kg/day in drinking water (375 mg per gallon) for 7 days; 20–40 mg/kg/day (Huber 1988). UK label slaughter withdrawal 14 days.

Poultry

• Colibacillosis (water): Plumb’s p.109 (Apralan UK label): 50 g per 100–200 L water; slaughter withdrawal 7 days; not for laying hens producing eggs for human consumption.

Buffalo

No buffalo-specific doses are on file, so buffalo are dosed as cattle.

• Calf colibacillosis (oral): Plumb’s p.109 (Apralan UK label): calves 20–40 mg/kg/day in water, milk or milk replacer for 5 days by severity. UK slaughter withdrawal 28 days.

Contraindications

Significant renal impairment (if systemically absorbed). Damaged/inflamed gut increases absorption → systemic aminoglycoside toxicity. Hypersensitivity. Not for species/uses outside the label; observe withdrawal periods.

Species-specific warnings

Cattle: For calf scours; observe meat withdrawal (~28 days) and avoid in animals with compromised gut integrity (absorption → toxicity).

Adverse effects

• Generally well tolerated orally (poor absorption)
• Nephrotoxicity / ototoxicity if absorbed (damaged gut, parenteral use)
• Gut flora disturbance

Drug interactions

• Other nephro-/ototoxic drugs: additive toxicity if systemically absorbed
• Neuromuscular blockers: potentiated blockade with absorption
• Beta-lactams: synergy but physical incompatibility if mixed

Pregnancy and lactation

Oral use with an intact gut gives minimal systemic exposure; avoid systemic absorption in pregnancy.

Monitoring

• Clinical response (resolution of scours) and intake of medicated feed/water
• Renal/auditory signs if gut barrier compromised
• Withdrawal-period compliance
• Antimicrobial stewardship records

Toxicity and overdose

Low oral toxicity due to poor absorption; toxicity (aminoglycoside nephro-/ototoxicity) is a concern only with a compromised gut barrier or parenteral use. Stewardship note: apramycin shares cross-resistance mechanisms relevant to human aminoglycosides.

Management: Discontinue; if systemically absorbed manage as aminoglycoside toxicity (IV fluid diuresis, monitor renal/auditory function). Restore gut flora for dysbiosis. No specific antidote.

Clinical pearls

• An oral gut-active aminoglycoside for neonatal scours (E. coli/Salmonella) in pigs and calves — its value is the LOCAL gut action with minimal absorption
• Useful against some aminoglycoside-resistant Gram-negatives (resists many modifying enzymes)
• Watch the gut barrier — inflamed/damaged intestine lets it become systemically toxic
• Observe withdrawal periods and use prudently (cross-resistance with human aminoglycosides)

Mechanism of action

Binds the 30S bacterial ribosomal subunit, causing mRNA misreading and inhibition of protein synthesis — bactericidal against aerobic Gram-negatives. Its distinctive structure makes it a poor substrate for many aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes, so it remains active against some gentamicin/neomycin-resistant strains.

Formulations and products

• Soluble powder (oral / water, e.g. Apralan)
• Premix (in-feed)
• Injection (where available)
• Apralan (Elanco) — Apramycin soluble powder / premix, Soluble powder / premix

Storage

Soluble powder/premix: 15–30 °C, dry, protect from light/moisture. Medicated water: fresh daily.

Before you use this dose

Reference doses for veterinary professionals. Confirm the dose against the product label, the patient’s condition, current guidance and local regulations before use; the attending veterinarian remains responsible for every clinical decision.

Other antibiotics

• Amikacin
• Amoxicillin
• Amoxicillin / Clavulanic Acid
• Ampicillin
• Azithromycin
• Cefadroxil
• Cefazolin
• Cefixime

Frequently asked questions