Zactran® (gamithromycin)

Treat and control bovine respiratory disease in cattle

Details

Zactran® (gamithromycin) is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial that fights all the major BRD-causing bacteria1:

  • ZACTRAN antibiotic treats BRD associated with Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Histophilus somni and Mycoplasma bovis in beef and non-lactating dairy cattle.
  • ZACTRAN controls respiratory disease in beef and non-lactating dairy cattle at high risk of developing BRD associated with M. haemolytica and P. multocida.

 

ZACTRAN antibiotic is part of the macrolide class of antimicrobials. The macrolide class is proven to be the most effective for BRD control.2

Features & Benefits

REACHES THE SITE OF INFECTION IN JUST 30 MINUTES.3*

After you administer Zactran® (gamithromycin), the broad-spectrum antibiotic rapidly reaches the site of infection — the lungs — where it kills bacteria and stops them from replicating.

CATTLE TYPICALLY SHOW IMPROVEMENT WITHIN 24 HOURS.5**

In a study, cattle treated with ZACTRAN antibiotic responded within 24 hours. Cattle had lower temperatures, were more alert, and were breathing easier.5

TAKES JUST 12 HOURS TO REACH PEAK CONCENTRATION IN THE LUNGS.3*

Reaches peak concentration in the lungs in half a day, compared to three days for tulathromycin products.4

PROVIDES 10 DAYS OF THERAPY FROM A SINGLE INJECTION.1

ZACTRAN antibiotic keeps working for 10 days, with an optimal post-treatment interval (PTI) of 6 to 9 days, according to recent research.6 Using a long-acting antimicrobial helps to save money, minimize animal handling, and support judicious antimicrobial use.

Dosage & Administration

  • Administer ZACTRAN antibiotic one time as a subcutaneous injection in the neck at 2 mL/110 lbs (1.8 mL/100 lbs) body weight. If the total dose exceeds 10 mL, divide the dose so that no more than 10 mL is administered at each injection site.
  • ZACTRAN is available in 500-, 250- and 100-mL bottle sizes.

 

Bottle size chart

 

Resources
Safety

Safety Information: For use in cattle only. Do not treat cattle within 35 days of slaughter. Because a discard time in milk has not been established, do not use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older, or in calves to be processed for veal. The effects of ZACTRAN on bovine reproductive performance, pregnancy and lactation have not been determined. Subcutaneous injection may cause a transient local tissue reaction in some cattle that may result in trim loss of edible tissues at slaughter. NOT FOR USE IN HUMANS. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

 

Adverse Reactions: Transient animal discomfort and mild to moderate injection site swelling may be seen in cattle treated with ZACTRAN.

 

Storage: Store at or below 77 oF (25 oC) with excursions between 59–86 oF (15–30 oC). Use within 18 months of first puncture.

 

Warning: FOR USE IN CATTLE ONLY. NOT FOR USE IN HUMANS. KEEP THIS AND ALL DRUGS OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN. NOT FOR USE IN CHICKENS OR TURKEYS. The material safety data sheet (MSDS) contains more detailed occupational safety information. To contact the Veterinary Technical Solutions Team in case of questions or concerns, please call 1-888-637-4251.

One dose. 30 minutes.
One dose. 30 minutes.
Farmer pushing fence closed

Backed by Research

Boehringer Ingelheim is invested in ongoing research to put cattle first and support producers and veterinarians like you. See the broad portfolio of research for ZACTRAN antibiotic here.

Backed by Research

Boehringer Ingelheim is invested in ongoing research to put cattle first and support producers and veterinarians like you. See the broad portfolio of research for ZACTRAN antibiotic here.

Farmer pushing fence closed
Dairy cow standing next to farm

Importance of Early Diagnostics for BRD

Calves are a prey species, so they’re instinctively good at hiding behind their healthy pen mates and masking illnesses from us. Find out how to diagnose BRD more quickly and accurately.

Importance of Early Diagnostics for BRD

Calves are a prey species, so they’re instinctively good at hiding behind their healthy pen mates and masking illnesses from us. Find out how to diagnose BRD more quickly and accurately.

Dairy cow standing next to farm

Hear from a Producer

The fight against bovine respiratory disease is a never-ending battle on a cattle operation. Brad Dickman of C&D Cattle Company in Forest Hills, Michigan, explains why he uses ZACTRAN antibiotic to fight back against the disease.

Why Choose ZACTRAN to Treat BRD

Learn about the benefits of using ZACTRAN antibiotic, and see why this broad-spectrum antibiotic is ideal for bovine respiratory disease management.

 

How ZACTRAN Knocks Out BRD

See how ZACTRAN antibiotic rapidly reaches the site of a respiratory infection, where it kills harmful bacteria and stops them from multiplying.

 

BRD Battle Plan. Powerful protection on all fronts.

BRD Battle Plan

BRD costs the cattle industry an estimated $900 million annually in death loss, reduced feed efficiency and treatment costs.7

 

When it comes to BRD, no vaccine or management practice can prevent infection 100% of the time. An effective battle plan includes three key components: building immunity, mitigating risk and managing infections.

BRD Battle Plan

BRD costs the cattle industry an estimated $900 million annually in death loss, reduced feed efficiency and treatment costs.7

 

When it comes to BRD, no vaccine or management practice can prevent infection 100% of the time. An effective battle plan includes three key components: building immunity, mitigating risk and managing infections.

BRD Battle Plan. Powerful protection on all fronts.
References

* Clinical relevance has not been determined.

** A small percentage of cattle may have already suffered lung damage, and may be too far gone or will require a little longer to turn around.

 

1 ZACTRAN product label.

2 O’Connor AM, Hu D, Totton SC, et al. A systematic review and network meta-analysis of injectable antibiotic options for the control of bovine respiratory disease in the first 45 days post arrival at the feedlot. Anim Health Res Rev 2019;20(2):163–181.

3 Giguere S, Huang R, Malinski TJ, et al. Disposition of gamithromycin in plasma, pulmonary epithelial lining fluid, bronchoalveolar cells and lung tissue in cattle. Am J Vet Res 2011;72(3):326–330.

4 DRAXXIN® product label.

5 Sifferman RL, Wolff WA, Holste JE, et al. Field efficacy evaluation of gamithromycin for treatment of bovine respiratory disease in cattle at feedlots. Intern J Appl Res Vet Med 2011;9(2)166–175.

6 Theurer ME, Fox JT, Portillo TA, et al. Comparison of gamithromycin post-treatment intervals for beef cattle naturally affected with bovine respiratory disease. Bov Pract 2020;54(2):105–111.

7 Chirase NK, Greene LW. Dietary zinc and manganese sources administered from the fetal stage onward affect immune response of transit-stressed and virus-infected offspring steer calves. Anim Feed Sci Technol 2001;93(3–4):217–228.

 

 

Trademarks

ZACTRAN® is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health France, used under license. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owner. ©2023 Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc., Duluth, GA. All Rights Reserved. US-BOV-0138-2021-A-V2