What is DRAXXIN?
DRAXXIN® (tulathromycin) Injectable Solution is the first member of a new subclass of macrolide antimicrobial, called triamilides,
available for commercial use. DRAXXIN was discovered and developed by Pfizer for the treatment of bovine respiratory
disease (BRD) in beef cattle and swine respiratory disease (SRD) and the control of respiratory disease in cattle at
high risk of developing BRD.
How does the efficacy of DRAXXIN compare with other antimicrobial treatments?
DRAXXIN’s unique chemistry results in a product that compares favorably with Nuflor® (florfenicol) and Micotil®
(tilmicosin). DRAXXIN demonstrated significantly improved first treatment success and the cattle treated with DRAXXIN
needed fewer second or third treatments following repull in both treatment and control studies involving feedlot and
stocker cattle.1-3
What kind of cattle can be treated with DRAXXIN?
DRAXXIN is approved for use in beef and non-lactating dairy cattle for the treatment of BRD associated with Mannheimia
haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida and Histophilus somni (Haemophilus somnus). DRAXXIN should not be used in female
dairy cattle older than 20 months of age or in calves intended to be processed for veal.
How is DRAXXIN administered to cattle?
DRAXXIN is administered by subcutaneous injection in the neck. Any of the commonly available repeat dosing
syringes can be used to administer the product. The dose rate is 1.1 mL/100 lb (2.5 mg/kg bodyweight). No more than
10 mLs (the dose for a 900 lb animal is 10.2 mL) should be given at a single injection site.
What is the pre-slaughter withdrawal period for cattle treated with DRAXXIN?
DRAXXIN has an 18-day withdrawal period. No withdrawal time has been established for pre-ruminating calves.
What side effects have been seen with DRAXXIN?
DRAXXIN caused some transient head-shaking following treatment with the recommended dose. In one field use study two
calves exhibited hypersalivation and one of these calves also experienced difficulty breathing (dyspnea) which may
have been associated with pneumonia.
How is DRAXXIN packaged?
DRAXXIN comes in 100 mL, 250 mL and 500 mL bottles. Its concentrated formula allows greater convenience and less medical waste.
How do cattle producers obtain DRAXXIN?
DRAXXIN can be obtained only with a prescription from a licensed
veterinarian.
References
1 Skogerboe TL, Rooney KA, Nutsch RG, Weigel DJ, Gajewski K, Kilgore WR. Comparative efficacy of tulathromycin versus
florfenicol and tilmicosin against undifferentiated bovine respiratory disease in feedlot cattle. Vet Ther 2005; 6(2): 180-196.
2 Nutsch RG, Skogerboe TL, Rooney KA, Weigel DJ, Gajewski K, Lectenberg KF. Comparative efficacy of tulathromycin, tilmicosin,
and florfenicol in the treatment of bovine respiratory disease in stocker cattle. Vet Ther 2005; 6(2): 167-179.
3 Rooney KA, Nutsch RG, Skogerboe TL, Weigel DJ, Gajewski K, Kilgore WR. Efficacy of tulathromycin compared with tilmicosin
and florfenicol for the control of respiratory disease in cattle at high risk of developing bovine respiratory disease. Vet
Ther 2005; 6(2): 154-166.
References