chlortetracycline

Chlortetracycline is a broad-spectrum tetracycline antibiotic and was the first of its class to be discovered. It acts as a bacteriostatic agent by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis. The drug binds to the 30S ribosomal subunit of bacteria, preventing aminoacyl-tRNA from attaching to the A site of the ribosome, thereby blocking peptide chain elongation and ultimately inhibiting bacterial growth and reproduction[1][6]. Chlortetracycline is primarily used in veterinary medicine for treating conjunctivitis in cats, dogs, and horses; infected wounds in cattle, sheep, and pigs; as well as respiratory tract infections in calves, pigs, and chickens[3]. In humans it is mainly used topically for eye infections or as part of combination creams for infected allergic dermatitis[2][3]. Its oral bioavailability is about 25-30% with peak plasma concentration reached within three hours after administration[1].

Brand names

Aureomycin

Other names

chlortetracycline hydrochloridechlortetracycline bisulfate