Ceftiofur Crystalline Free Acid
Also known as: Excede · CCFA · CM-31916 · ceftiofuri
Reviewed by the VetSheet Veterinary TeamUpdated Apr 5, 2026Evidence-based veterinary reference
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Dosing by species
🌎 NA — North America🌍 EU — Europe
Horses
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower respiratory tract infections caused by susceptible strains of Streptococcus equi ssp. zooepidemicus | 6.6 mg/kg IM; repeat in 4 days | IM | repeat in 4 days | 2 doses total | 🌎 NA |
- Lower respiratory tract infections caused by susceptible strains of Streptococcus equi ssp. zooepidemicus: A maximum of 20 mL per injection site may be administered. Shake well before using.
Cattle
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRD treatment (Beef and lactating cattle) | 3 mg per lb (6.6 mg ceftiofur equivalents per kg) body weight (1.5 mL sterile suspension per 100 lb body weight) | SC | Single dose | Single dose | 🌎 NA |
| BRD treatment (Beef and non-lactating dairy cattle) | 6.6 mg ceftiofur equivalents/kg body weight (1.5 mL sterile suspension per 100 lb body weight) | SC | Single dose | Single dose | 🌎 NA |
| BRD control (Beef and non-lactating dairy cattle) | 6.6 mg ceftiofur equivalents (CE)/kg body weight (1.5 mL sterile suspension per 100 lb body weight) | SC | Single dose | Single dose | 🌎 NA |
- BRD treatment (Beef and lactating cattle): Administer as a single SC injection in the posterior aspect of the ear where it attaches to the head at the base of the ear (BOE).
- BRD treatment (Beef and non-lactating dairy cattle): Administer as a single SC injection in the middle third of the posterior aspect of the ear.
- BRD control (Beef and non-lactating dairy cattle): Administer as a SC injection either in the middle third of the posterior aspect of the ear or at the base of the ear.
Swine
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swine respiratory disease (SRD) | 2.27 mg ceftiofur equivalents (CE) per lb (5 mg CE/kg) body weight | IM | Single dose | Single dose | 🌎 NA |
- Swine respiratory disease (SRD): Administer in the post-auricular region of the neck. No more than 2 mL should be injected in a single injection site. Pigs heavier than 88 lb (40 kg) will require more than one injection.
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Overview
Ceftiofur crystalline free acid (CCFA) is a long-acting, veterinary-specific third-generation cephalosporin. It is formulated in a Miglyol (cottonseed oil) base to provide sustained release over several days from a single injection.
- Broad-spectrum activity: Highly effective against major gram-negative and gram-positive respiratory pathogens.
- Target species: FDA-approved for use in cattle (Bovine Respiratory Disease and foot rot), swine (Swine Respiratory Disease), and horses (lower respiratory tract infections caused by Streptococcus equi ssp. zooepidemicus).
- Clinical advantage: Provides a full course of therapy in a single dose (cattle/swine) or two doses (horses), improving compliance and reducing animal handling stress.
Mechanism of action
Like other beta-lactam antibiotics, ceftiofur is a time-dependent, bactericidal agent.
- It binds to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) → inhibits peptidoglycan cross-linking → disrupts bacterial cell wall synthesis → activates autolysins → cell lysis and death.
- After administration, the parent compound is rapidly cleaved into furoic acid and desfuroylceftiofur (the primary active metabolite).
- Desfuroylceftiofur is equally potent to the parent drug and exhibits a spectrum of activity similar to cefotaxime. High protein binding creates a 'reservoir effect' to maintain active drug levels at the site of infection.
Safety & warnings
Contraindications
- Patients with a history of hypersensitivity to cephalosporins
- Use with caution in patients with documented hypersensitivity to other beta-lactams (penicillins, carbapenems)
- Do not use in pre-ruminating calves to be processed for veal
Adverse effects
- Hypersensitivity reactions (rashes, fever, eosinophilia, anaphylaxis)
- Granulocytopenia and thrombocytopenia (rare)
- Diarrhea, soft or loose stools (especially in horses)
- Injection site reactions: swelling, thickening, aseptic cellular infiltrate, discoloration
- Sudden death in cattle if injected into ear arteries
Precautions
CRITICAL WARNING: Administration of ceftiofur free acid into the ear arteries is likely to result in sudden death in cattle.
- Human Safety: Avoid direct contact with skin, eyes, mouth, and clothing. Wear latex gloves to prevent sensitization. Persons with known penicillin/cephalosporin hypersensitivity should avoid exposure.
- Residue Warnings: Strictly observe slaughter withdrawal times (13 days for cattle, 14 days for swine). Extra-label use or exceeding maximum injection volumes per site may result in violative residues.
- Equine Precautions: If acute diarrhea is observed, do not administer additional doses and initiate appropriate therapy. Not evaluated in horses <4 months of age, or breeding, pregnant, or lactating horses. Due to prolonged clearance (~17 days to eliminate 97%), adverse reactions may require prolonged care.
Drug interactions
Potential additive nephrotoxicity. Do not mix in the same syringe or IV line.
Competitively blocks the tubular secretion of most cephalosporins, thereby increasing serum levels and serum half-lives.
Monitoring
- Clinical efficacy (resolution of respiratory signs within 3-5 days)
- Injection site reactions (swelling, inflammation)
- Fecal consistency (monitor for diarrhea, especially in horses)
- CBC (if used off-label in small animals)
- Renal function in patients with pre-existing renal compromise
Pharmacokinetics
Half-life
Absorption
Cattle (SC): Provides therapeutic concentrations above MIC90 for generally not less than 150 hours. Swine (IM): Therapeutic levels reached within 1 hour and maintained for an average of 8 days. Horses (IM): Slowly absorbed; peak serum level at ~22 hours (first dose) and ~16 hours (second dose), maintaining therapeutic levels for 10 days.
Distribution
High protein binding creates a 'reservoir effect' to maintain active levels at the site of infection.
Metabolism
Rapidly cleaved into furoic acid and desfuroylceftiofur (the primary active metabolite).
Elimination
Horses: Approximately 17 days are needed to eliminate 97% of the dose from the body.
Overdose
Cephalosporin overdoses are unlikely to cause significant systemic toxicity other than gastrointestinal distress and potential injection site reactions.
Regulatory Warning: Use of dosages in excess of labeled recommendations (e.g., >6.6 mg/kg in cattle or >5 mg/kg in swine) or administration by unapproved routes (e.g., SC in the neck or IM in cattle) will likely cause violative tissue residues. Contact FARAD for assistance in determining appropriate extended withdrawal times if an overdose occurs.
Available products
Formulations
- Sterile suspension (100 mg/mL ceftiofur equivalents)
- Sterile suspension (200 mg/mL ceftiofur equivalents)
Veterinary
- Ceftiofur Crystalline Free Acid equivalent to 200 mg/mL ceftiofur in 100 mL vials (Excede for Cattle/Horses)
- Ceftiofur Crystalline Free Acid equivalent to 100 mg/mL ceftiofur in 100 mL vials (Excede for Swine)
Regulatory status
No regulatory data for: 🇺🇸 US · 🇪🇺 EU · 🇬🇧 UK · 🇭🇰 HK · 🇹🇼 TW · 🇯🇵 JP · 🇰🇷 KR · 🇦🇺 AU
Storage & stability
Store at controlled room temperature 20-25°C (68-77°F). Shake well before using. Contents should be used within 12 weeks after the first dose is removed.
Client information
For Horse Owners:
- Watch for Diarrhea: If your horse develops loose stools or diarrhea after receiving this medication, contact your veterinarian immediately and do not administer the second dose.
- Injection Site Swelling: Mild swelling or soreness at the injection site can occur. Monitor the area and report any severe or draining lesions.
- Prolonged Action: This drug is designed to stay in the system for a long time (over two weeks). Because of this, if adverse reactions occur, they may require prolonged veterinary care.
For Livestock Producers:
- Withdrawal Times: Strictly adhere to slaughter withdrawal times (13 days for cattle, 14 days for swine) to prevent illegal drug residues in meat.
- Milk Discard: There is a zero-day milk discard time for lactating dairy cattle only when used exactly according to label directions at the base of the ear.
- Injection Technique: Proper injection technique and location are critical for safety and to avoid carcass trim loss.
VetSheet drug reference is intended for licensed veterinary professionals as a clinical decision-support aid, not a substitute for professional judgement or the manufacturer’s current label.