Decoquinate
Decoquinate is a quinolone antibiotic used primarily as a coccidiostat in veterinary medicine. It is effective against coccidia, a type of protozoa that infects the intestinal tracts of animals, particularly poultry and livestock.
Chemical Properties[edit | edit source]
Decoquinate is a synthetic compound with the chemical formula C24H35NO5. It belongs to the class of quinolone antibiotics, which are known for their broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. The compound is characterized by its ability to inhibit the mitochondrial electron transport chain in coccidia, thereby preventing their replication and survival.
Mechanism of Action[edit | edit source]
Decoquinate works by inhibiting the cytochrome b complex in the mitochondrial electron transport chain of coccidia. This inhibition disrupts the energy production in the protozoa, leading to their death. The drug is particularly effective during the early stages of the coccidia life cycle, making it a valuable preventive measure in livestock management.
Usage in Veterinary Medicine[edit | edit source]
Decoquinate is commonly used in the feed of poultry, cattle, sheep, and goats to prevent coccidiosis. It is often administered as a feed additive, ensuring that animals receive a consistent dose to maintain effective levels of the drug in their systems. The use of decoquinate helps in reducing the incidence of coccidiosis, thereby improving the overall health and productivity of the animals.
Safety and Efficacy[edit | edit source]
Decoquinate is considered safe for use in animals when administered at the recommended dosages. It has a wide margin of safety and is generally well-tolerated. However, it is important to follow the guidelines for its use to avoid the development of drug resistance in coccidia populations.
Regulatory Status[edit | edit source]
Decoquinate is approved for use in many countries around the world. It is regulated by veterinary authorities to ensure its safe and effective use in animal husbandry. The drug is subject to withdrawal periods before the slaughter of animals to ensure that residues do not enter the human food chain.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Categories[edit | edit source]
 | This medical article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
