Tiamulin hydrogen fumarate is a semisynthetic derivative of the
diterpene antibiotic pleuromutilin used in poultry medicine to treat mainly Mycoplasma- and Brachyspira-related diseases. Its use over 30 yr has not generally increased the development of resistance to these pathogens but occasionally resistant isolates are encountered.
Tiamulin administered at therapeutic levels is relatively quickly absorbed, metabolized in the liver, and eliminated from the body of the bird after a withdrawal period of 72 h, and as a result, meat products can be safely consumed. A zero withdrawal period for eggs has been granted in several European Union states. When administered with different drugs,
tiamulin has been shown to have an enhanced activity with the
tetracyclines. There is a strong interaction, even death, with the
ionophore anticoccidials
monensin,
narasin, and
salinomycin when
tiamulin is used at therapeutic levels, but this is dose-related and low doses do not interact. It is thought to be caused by the preferential metabolism of
tiamulin in the liver resulting in a build up of the
ionophore leading to clinical signs of overdosage.
Tiamulin shows a milder interaction, such as temporary growth depression, with
maduramicin and
semduramicin but is compatible with
lasalocid. Although
tiamulin shows small benefits in improving performance in healthy animals, its main production benefit is in the face of
infection, as a true therapeutic
antibiotic.