Novobiocin Sodium
Novobiocin is a narrow-spectrum antibiotic primarily effective against certain **gram-positive cocci**. * **Veterinary Use:** It is FDA-approved in combination with penicillin G as an intramammary infusion for dry dairy cattle (mastitis). It is also available in combination with tetracycline and prednisolone for oral use in dogs. * **Clinical Pearl:** Due to the availability of safer and more effective broad-spectrum antibiotics, systemic use of novobiocin is relatively uncommon in modern small animal practice. Its use is largely restricted to specific combination products.
Mechanism: Novobiocin acts in a bactericidal manner through multiple mechanisms: * **Inhibits bacterial DNA gyrase** → interferes with protein and nucleic acid synthesis. * Interferes with **bacterial cell wall synthesis**. * **Note:** The activity of the drug is significantly enhanced in an alkaline medium.
Dosing by species
- Subclinical mastitis in dry cows · Infuse contents of one syringe into each quarter at the time of drying off; not later than 30 days prior to calving. · Intramammary · Once · Shake well before using.
- Susceptible infections · 22 mg/kg of each antibiotic and 0.55 mg prednisolone PO q12h · PO · q12h · 48 hours · Using the combination product (with tetracycline and prednisolone)
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Routes of administration
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to novobiocin
Adverse effects
- Fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Rashes
- Blood dyscrasias
- Hepatotoxicity (reported in humans)
Drug interactions
- Beta-lactam antibiotics (e.g., penicillins, cephalosporins) · Novobiocin may block tubular transport, potentially decreasing the elimination rates and prolonging the half-lives of these drugs.
Monitoring
- Clinical efficacy
- Adverse effects
- Periodic liver function tests (if using long-term systemically)
- CBCs (if using long-term systemically)
Overdose
Little information is available regarding overdoses. It is suggested that large oral overdoses be handled by emptying the gut following standard protocols; monitor and treat adverse effects symptomatically if necessary.
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.