Which antibiotics are approved for use as feed additives in pig diets in the United States?
Antibiotics and combinations approved for use in swine diets, including withdrawal times, are listed in Table 3. Florfenicol and tilmicosin, which are classified as Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) drugs, are also included in the list. Veterinary Feed Directive drugs can be used only under the order and professional supervision of an appropriately licensed veterinarian.7 Before a VFD drug can be used, the producer must first contact the veterinarian to diagnose and treat the existing health problem. A VFD order can be written only by a veterinarian for drugs that are approved for that swine category and under a valid client-patient relationship.7 This is accomplished by filling out a form in a format approved by the Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine. All pertinent information must be provided by the veterinarian. The veterinarian, producer, and feed miller must all follow the responsibilities outlined by the Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Me
