Chlortetracycline

Indications

Chlortetracycline is primarily utilized in the formulation of medicated animal feeds. This application is designed to promote growth and prevent disease within livestock populations, ultimately contributing to improved health and productivity in agricultural settings.

Pharmacodynamics

As a member of the tetracycline class of antibiotics, chlortetracycline functions as a bacteriostatic agent. It effectively inhibits bacterial growth and reproduction by interfering with the protein synthesis of susceptible bacteria, thereby limiting the propagation of bacterial infections.

Absorption

When administered orally, chlortetracycline achieves peak plasma concentration approximately three hours post-ingestion. The oral bioavailability of chlortetracycline is relatively low, ranging from 25 to 30%. This indicates that a modest proportion of the drug reaches systemic circulation when taken through this route.

Metabolism

Chlortetracycline is not known to undergo significant metabolic transformation. This characteristic suggests that the drug is excreted largely in its original form, minimizing the impact of metabolic variations on its effectiveness and facilitating predictable pharmacokinetic behavior.

Mechanism of Action

Chlortetracycline operates by targeting the bacterial ribosome, specifically competing for the A site, similar to other tetracyclines. By binding to this site, it prevents the attachment of tRNA molecules that carry amino acids, thereby obstructing their addition to the growing peptide chain. This action effectively disrupts protein synthesis, which is essential for bacterial growth and reproduction, as it hinders the production of necessary proteins.