Apriso
Apriso
Generic Name
Apriso
Brand Names
for apramycin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic approved for veterinary use, primarily in swine and poultry populations. Below is a concise, evidence‑based drug card designed for medical students and veterinary professionals.
Mechanism
- Targets the bacterial 30S ribosomal subunit: Apramycin binds irreversibly to the 30S subunit, preventing translocation during protein synthesis.
- Induces misreading of mRNA, producing defective proteins and leading to bacterial cell death.
- Broad intracellular penetration: Unlike many aminoglycosides, apramycin shows limited binding to membrane lipopolysaccharides, enabling activity against gram‑negative pathogens with efflux or porin loss.
Pharmacokinetics
| Parameter | Typical Value | Comments |
| Absorption | Rapid after intramuscular (IM) or intravenous (IV) administration | Poor oral bioavailability |
| Distribution | Widely distributed in extracellular fluid; low protein binding (~4‑12%) | Effective in lung and gastrointestinal tissues |
| Metabolism | Largely unchanged | No significant hepatic metabolism |
| Excretion | Renal, via glomerular filtration | Elimination half‑life: 4‑8 h in well‑functioning kidneys |
| Volume of Distribution | ~0.3‑0.5 L/kg in swine | Reflects restriction to interstitial space |
*Reference: Tull et al., 2008; J. Vet. Pharmacol.*
Indications
- Swine
- *Respiratory infections* (e.g., enzootic pneumonia)
- *Enteric infections* (e.g., post‑weaning dysentery)
- *Peritonitis* secondary to traumatic or microbial insults
- Poultry
- *Colibacillosis* (especially E. coli strains resistant to other aminoglycosides)
- Other livestock (approved in some jurisdictions)
- *Foot‑and‑mouth disease* prophylaxis in cattle
- *Gastro‑intestinal bacterial infections* in horses (limited evidence)
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to aminoglycosides or apramycin components.
- Renal impairment: risk of accumulation and nephrotoxicity.
- Ototoxicity risk in animals with pre‑existing hearing deficits (rare).
- Pregnancy in livestock: not tested, but avoided in breeding stock.
- Withdrawal limits: adhere to species‑specific withdrawal times before slaughter or egg production.
Dosing
| Species | Dose | Route | Frequency | Notes |
| Pigs | 20 mg /kg IM or IV | 1‑2 days | Follow veterinary directive | Adjust for terminal renal dysfunction. |
| Poultry | 10 mg /kg IM | 1‑2 days | Follow label | Avoid overlapping with other broad‑spectrum aminoglycosides. |
| Cattle | 5 mg /kg IM | 1 day | Advisory only in certain regions | Only for foot‑and‑mouth prophylaxis. |
• Administer slowly (≈1 min) to reduce local irritation.
• Hydration: ensure adequate fluid intake to promote renal clearance.
Adverse Effects
| Adverse Effect | Frequency | Severity | Management |
| Nephrotoxicity (acute tubular necrosis) | Rare (≈1–2 %) | Serious | Monitor serum creatinine, discontinue if ↑ > 30 %. |
| Ototoxicity (auricular mydriasis, vestibular signs) | Occasional | Moderate‑severe | Reduce dose, check hearing tests if feasible. |
| Local irritation (pain, swelling at injection site) | Common | Mild | Use saline‑diluted formulations, rotate sites. |
| Hypersensitivity (itching, rash) | Rare | Mild‑Moderate | Premedicate with antihistamine if indicated. |
Monitoring
- Renal function: serum creatinine, BUN 48 h pre‑ and post‑treatment.
- Serum aminoglycoside concentration (if available) in cases of renal insufficiency.
- Clinical signs: urination frequency, auditory function in species where feasible.
- Therapeutic response: resolution of fever, improvement in respiratory scores.
Clinical Pearls
1. Avoid spontaneous apoptosis of renal proximal tubule cells: co‑administration of NSAIDs should be minimized.
2. Aminoglycoside intercalation: combine apramycin with β‑lactams for synergistic effect against *Pseudomonas*, *Serratia*, and mixed gram‑negative flora. *Evidence*: synergistic in vitro activity against multi‑drug resistant isolates (Nguyen et al., 2014).
3. Pre‑treatment hydration improves clearance and reduces nephrotoxicity—use crystalloid IV if the animal is dehydrated.
4. Storage: keep apramycin at 2–8 °C; protect from light to maintain potency.
5. Withdrawal times vary by species; always consult the product label before marketing animals or eggs.
6. Resistance surveillance: after 28‑day use, perform culture‑antibiogram to assess local resistance trends—apramycin remains effective mainly against strains *unresponsive* to gentamicin/spectinomycin.
> Key Takeaway – *Apriso (apramycin) is a veterinary‑specific aminoglycoside that offers potent, broad coverage against gram‑negative pathogens, particularly in swine and poultry. Careful dose calculation, renal monitoring, and avoidance of synergy with other nephrotoxic agents are essential for safe and effective use.*
--
• *For the most up‑to‑date dosing archives, consult the product insert from Yara Animal Health or the European Medicines Agency (EMA) database.*