Macrolide antibiotics (kitasamycin, oleandomycin and tylosin)

Macrolide antibiotics are a group of veterinary antibiotics produced by various strains of streptomyces (having a complex macrocyclic structure) which are widely used to treat disease and promote growth in food producing animals.

This review focuses on the assessment of three selected macrolides, kitasamycin, oleandomycin and tylosin. Kitasamycin is produced by Streptomyces kitasatoensis, oleandomycin by Streptomyces antibioticus and tylosin is produced by Streptomyces fradiae.

Macrolide antibiotics review

Status: review in progress

In September 1999 selected macrolide antibiotics (kitasamycin, oleandomycin and tylosin) were nominated for review because of concerns over their efficacy and their possible contribution to the development of antibiotic resistance in human medicine. This action was based on advice from the Joint Expert Advisory Committee on Antibiotic Resistance (JETACAR) which identified antibiotics used as growth promotants and for prophylactic purposes in food-producing animals as warranting review.

In December 2001 the APVMA began a review of selected macrolide antibiotics because of concerns over the potential risk to human health. The review will provide the APVMA with information to enable it to determine whether the existing uses of these macrolide antibiotics should continue in Australia.

Following the assessment of macrolide antibiotics the APVMA will release a preliminary findings review (PRF) report outlining the proposed regulatory arrangements for the future use of macrolide antibiotics. There will be a public consultation period providing all members of the community with an opportunity to comment on this report before it is finalised.

The APVMA will issue a final report once the assessment of all available data is completed.

For more information please contact the Chemical Review Program on (02) 6210 4749 or by email to chemrev@apvma.gov.au

Review report	Date
No report available

Product search

Search the PUBCRIS database for registered products that contain macrolide antibiotics.
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APVMA macrolide antibiotics archive

Title	Date
Gazette Notice: reconsideration of approvals and registrations related to macrolide antibiotics	Dec 2001
Media release: NRA foreshadows review of important animal antibiotic	May 2001