Streptomycin, dihydrostreptomycin, streptomycin/penicillin and dihydrostreptomycin/penicillin

Streptomycin and dihydrostreptomycin are antibiotic compounds used to treat bacterial infections.

Streptomycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic derived from Streptomyces griseus bacteria. Dihydrostreptomycin is a derivative of streptomycin. The differences between streptomycin and dihydrostreptomycin are small and so, whilst assessing them individually, the APVMA has collectively referred to these two compounds throughout the report as (dihydro) streptomycin.

Penicillin is the generic name for a large group of β-lactam antibiotics derived from several species of Penicillium bacteria. Penicillin was not assessed individually in this review but as an active constituent in combination products with (dihydro) streptomycin.

Streptomycin, dihydrostreptomycin and combination products review

The APVMA reviewed the use of streptomycin, dihydrostreptomycin and the combination products of streptomycin/penicillin and dihydrostreptomycin/penicillin in food-producing animals because of concerns over the efficacy, possible risks to the public from residues in food, and the potential for residues in meat from treated animals to harm Australian trade in meat and offal exports.

In 1999 the APVMA released the (Dihydro) Streptomycin/ Penicillin Combination Products and (Dihydro) Streptomycin Products Review Final Report. In the report the APVMA recommended withdrawing all injectable streptomycin/penicillin and streptomycin products for use in food-producing animals. Read a full history of the review...

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

Review report	Date
(Dihydro) Streptomycin/Penicillin Review Final Report ( PDF - 289KB)	Mar 1999

Product search

Search the PUBCRIS database for registered products that contain streptomycin, dihydrostreptomycin and the combination products of streptomycin/penicillin and dihydrostreptomycin/penicillin.

APVMA streptomycin, dihydrostreptomycin and combination products archive

Title	Date
Gazette Notice: Voluntary cancellation of certain (dihydro) streptomycin / penicillin combination products	Oct 1999
Gazette Notice*	Apr 1999
Gazette Notice*	May 1999

* Contact the APVMA for copies of this document.