Overview
Florfenicol and Thiamphenicol are both synthetic broad-spectrum antibiotics belonging to the phenicol class. Both are used extensively in veterinary medicine, but they have important differences in spectrum, pharmacokinetics, regulatory status, and applications. Choosing the right API for your formulation requires understanding these distinctions.
Key Difference at a Glance: Florfenicol is exclusively for veterinary use with broader activity and no bone marrow toxicity risk, while Thiamphenicol has both human and veterinary applications but is banned in food animals in some markets.
Chemical Profile Comparison
| Property | Florfenicol | Thiamphenicol |
|---|---|---|
| CAS Number | 76639-94-6 | 15318-45-3 |
| Molecular Formula | C₁₂H₁₄Cl₂FNO₄S | C₁₂H₁₅Cl₂NO₅S |
| Molecular Weight | 358.19 g/mol | 356.22 g/mol |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder | White crystalline powder |
| Solubility | Slightly soluble in water | Moderately soluble in water |
| Purity (API grade) | ≥98.0% | ≥98.0% |
Side-by-Side Comparison
Florfenicol
- Exclusively veterinary use
- Broader antibacterial spectrum
- No aplastic anemia risk
- Better bioavailability
- Allowed in food animals (most markets)
- More stable at higher temperatures
- Preferred for aquaculture
Thiamphenicol
- Human & veterinary applications
- Narrower spectrum vs florfenicol
- Lower aplastic anemia risk vs chloramphenicol
- Banned in food animals (EU, US)
- Used in human respiratory infections
- Available in oral and injectable forms
- Preferred in some Asian markets
Applications
Florfenicol Applications
- Poultry: Respiratory infections, colibacillosis, fowl cholera
- Swine: Pneumonia, pleuropneumonia, Glässer's disease
- Cattle: Bovine respiratory disease (BRD), foot rot
- Aquaculture: Bacterial infections in fish — salmon, tilapia, catfish
Thiamphenicol Applications
- Human medicine: Respiratory tract infections, STIs (gonorrhea)
- Veterinary (non-food animals): Companion animals, pets
- Some Asian markets: Still registered for certain livestock uses
Regulatory Status by Region
| Market | Florfenicol | Thiamphenicol |
|---|---|---|
| European Union | ✅ Approved (veterinary, food animals) | ❌ Banned in food animals |
| United States (FDA) | ✅ Approved (cattle, swine, catfish) | ❌ Not approved for food animals |
| China | ✅ Approved (veterinary) | ✅ Approved (human & veterinary) |
| Southeast Asia | ✅ Widely approved | ✅ Widely approved |
| Africa / Middle East | ✅ Widely used | ✅ Used in some markets |
Important Regulatory Note: Thiamphenicol is banned for use in food-producing animals in the EU and USA. Always verify local regulations before choosing your API for food animal formulations.
Which One to Choose?
✅ Choose Florfenicol if:
You're manufacturing products for food animals (poultry, swine, cattle, fish) targeting EU, US, or international markets. Florfenicol has fewer regulatory restrictions and broader spectrum activity.
✅ Choose Thiamphenicol if:
You're manufacturing human pharmaceutical products (respiratory infections, STIs) or veterinary products for companion animals, or your target market specifically approves thiamphenicol use.
Request Quotation for Both APIs
We supply both Florfenicol and Thiamphenicol with GMP certification, COA, and MSDS documentation