POM-V Prescription Required

Octacillin 697 mg/g Powder for Use in Drinking Water for Chickens

Active ingredient: Amoxicillin

Form

Powder

Species

Chickens

Manufacturer

Eurovet Animal Health B.V.

VMD MA No.

16849/4004

What it's used for

Not effective against beta-lactamase producing organisms.

Full indications, dosage and side effects ↓

View official SPC (PDF)

The prescription itself has a price. See what practices near you charge for a consultation and the written prescription fee.

Paying less for Amoxicillin

1

Ask your vet for a written prescription

They must provide one on request. Under the CMA Order the fee is capped at £21 from 2027.
2

Fill it at a registered online retailer

The CMA found online pharmacies 50–60% cheaper than practice dispensing on common medicines — typically £200–£300 a year.

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Prescription required

Your vet must provide a written prescription on request. You can then purchase from any licensed online retailer.

Clinical information

Octacillin 697 mg/g Powder for Use in Drinking Water for Chickens — SPC Details

Source: VMD Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). Last updated 27 Mar 2026.

Not effective against beta-lactamase producing organisms.

The recommended dosage is 8-16 mg per kg body weight of amoxicillin trihydrate
(corresponding to 10-20 mg of veterinary medicinal product per kg body weight) per day
administered in the drinking water. The higher dose is advised when treating severe
infections. Treatment should be given for a period of 3-5 consecutive days.
Based on the recommended dose and the number and weight of animals to be treated, the
exact daily concentration of the veterinary medicinal product should be calculated
according to the following formula:
10-20 mg veterinary
medicinal product / kg
body weight day
x
average body weight (kg)
of animals to be treated
average daily water intake (litre/animal)
= mg veterinary
medicinal product per
litre of drinking water

It is recommended that the veterinary medicinal product be administered once daily in the
drinking water. It is advisable to restrict drinking water for approximately 2 hours (less in
hot weather) prior to medication.
To ensure a correct dosage body weight should be determined as accurately as possible.
The intake of medicated water depends on the clinical condition of the animals. In order to
obtain the correct dosage, the concentration of amoxicillin has to be adjusted accordingly.
The use of suitably calibrated weighing equipment for the administration of the calculated
amount of product is recommended.
The calculated total daily amount of powder is dissolved in 5-10 litres of drinking water and
stirred until evenly dispersed. This solution is then added, whilst stirring, into an amount of
drinking water that will be consumed within approximately 2 hours. Maximum solubility of
the product in water is approximately 6 g/litre.
If, however, continuous medication is preferred then the drinking water should be
refreshed with medicated water at least twice daily. In all cases ensure that there is no
access to unmedicated water whilst medicated water is being offered. When all medicated
water has been consumed, turn on the normal water supply again. Any unused medicated
water should be discarded after 12 hours.

Do not use in known cases of hypersensitivity to penicillin or other substances of the beta-
lactam group or to any of the excipients.
Do not use in rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils or any other small herbivores.

Chickens:
Undetermined frequency (cannot
be estimated from the available
data)
Hypersensitivity reactions
Reporting adverse events is important. It allows continuous safety monitoring of a
veterinary medicinal product. Reports should be sent, preferably via a veterinarian, to
either the marketing authorisation holder or its local representative or the national
competent authority via the national reporting system. See the package leaflet for
respective contact details.
AN: 00806/2024 and 00807/2024

None.
AN: 00806/2024 and 00807/2024

Special precautions for safe use in the target species:
Use of the product should be based on identification and susceptibility testing of the target
pathogen(s). If this is not possible, therapy should be based on epidemiological
information and knowledge of susceptibility of the target pathogens at farm level, or at
local/regional level.
Use of the product should be in accordance with official, national and regional
antimicrobial policies.
Inappropriate use of the product may increase the prevalence of bacteria resistance to
amoxicillin and may decrease its effectiveness.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal
product to animals
Penicillins and cephalosporins may cause hypersensitivity (allergy) following injection,
inhalation, ingestion or skin contact. Hypersensitivity to penicillins may cause cross
reactions to cephalosporins and vice versa. Allergic reactions to these substances may
occasionally be serious.
1. People with known hypersensitivity to penicillin or cephalosporin should avoid
contact with the veterinary medicinal product.
2. Handle this veterinary medicinal product with great care to avoid exposure, taking
all recommended precautions. Wear protective clothing, impervious gloves and either a
disposable half mask respirator conforming to European Standard EN149 or a non-
disposable respirator conforming to European Standard EN140 with a filter to EN 143
when mixing and handling the product. Wash hands after use.
3. If you develop symptoms following exposure, such as a skin rash, you should seek
medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet or the label to the physician.
Swelling of the face, lips or eyes or difficulty with breathing are more serious symptoms
and require urgent medical attention.
Special precautions for the protection of the environment:
Not applicable.

The bactericidal effect of amoxicillin is counteracted by pharmaceuticals with a
bacteriostatic effect. Synergism occurs with ß-lactam antibiotics and aminoglycosides.

This veterinary medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions prior to
opening. After opening, any remaining content can be stored for 3 months if stored dry and
re-closed with clip (after folding the edge of the opened sachet). As metal tanks may
negatively influence stability of the product, metal tanks should not be used for storage of
medicated drinking water.

Meat and offal: 1 day
Not for use in birds producing eggs for human consumption.

This information is sourced from the official Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) published by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). It is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult your vet before administering any medication.