Amprosol

Quick links to important sections

Amprosol

Treatment option:

Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Amprosol

This section provides a clear, high-level definition of Amprosol, focusing strictly on its identity, composition, and general purpose as a Coccidiostat, without crossing into specific usage instructions or safety protocols.

Property Description
Active ingredient Amprolium
Form Soluble powder, Oral solution, Premix
Pharmacological class Coccidiostat, Antiprotozoal agent
General purpose Limiting the development of Eimeria parasites
Origin Synthetic compound

Amprosol: Definition and Pharmacological Class

Amprosol is a proprietary preparation of the active ingredient Amprolium, defined as a synthetic compound manufactured for veterinary use. This substance is scientifically classified as a Coccidiostat, placing it within the broader category of Antiprotozoal agents. Amprolium is clinically recognized for its targeted efficacy against the parasitic protozoa known as Eimeria species, supporting its primary role in controlling disease in livestock.

The pharmacological designation confirms that Amprolium is utilized to manage parasitic conditions in susceptible animals, such as poultry and calves. As a synthetic compound, it offers a structurally distinct method of control compared to naturally occurring or ionophore-based anticoccidial agents.


The Composition and Available Forms of Amprolium

The composition of Amprosol is characterized by Amprolium as a single-ingredient product, prepared using water-soluble excipients or inert feed-grade carriers. The medicine is supplied in various dosage forms, including the highly utilized soluble powder and oral solution formats, which distinguish it by supporting simplified oral route administration.

These specific preparations are designed to ensure uniform consumption and delivery of the active component via drinking water or medicated feed across a group of animals. Diverse oral forms have historically been utilized in target animal populations, confirming the reliability and suitability of the delivery method.


General Purpose as a Thiamine Analog

The general purpose of Amprolium as a Coccidiostat is based on its function as a structural thiamine analog, a molecule that mimics Vitamin B1. The mechanism involves competitive inhibition of thiamine uptake, a critical process for the parasite's metabolism. By blocking the ability of Eimeria species to absorb the thiamine required for their carbohydrate metabolism and growth, the agent effectively stunts the development and propagation of the protozoa.

What side effects are possible with Amprosol?

Possible side effects and safety information

The safety profile for Amprosol (Omeprazole, based on its established therapeutic uses) is defined by adverse reactions classified by frequency and the body system affected, as documented in official regulatory sources.

Officially Documented Adverse Reactions

Common adverse reactions (occurring in 1% to 10% of patients) primarily involve Gastrointestinal disorders such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, flatulence, nausea, and vomiting. Headache is also classified as common. Uncommon effects (occurring in 0.1% to 1%) include insomnia, dizziness, rash, pruritus, and increased liver enzymes.

Serious Adverse Reactions and Duration-Related Safety

Official labeling describes the potential for serious adverse reactions, including severe Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders (e.g., Agranulocytosis, Pancytopenia) and severe Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders (e.g., Stevens-Johnson Syndrome). Hepatic Failure and Acute Interstitial Nephritis are also documented.

Safety notes indicate that long-term use is specifically associated with certain characteristics. These include Hypomagnesemia (low magnesium levels), an increased risk of bone fractures of the hip, wrist, or spine, and the development of Fundic Gland Polyps.

Population-Specific Constraints

Safety considerations are explicitly noted for specific groups. The official profile advises caution and potential monitoring in individuals with severe hepatic impairment. Furthermore, the label notes that the risk of bone fractures is higher in older adults taking the medication long-term. Hypersensitivity to the active substance constitutes a safety restriction.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Amprosol Overdose and When to Seek Help — Official Regulatory Information

Documented Overdose Manifestations

Official regulatory documents describe the clinical presentation of overdosage as encompassing symptoms that affect the central nervous, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal systems. Commonly documented manifestations include headache, confusion, and drowsiness. Additional reported signs may include nausea, vomiting, fast heart rate (tachycardia), and blurred vision. While generally considered of low severity for a single acute ingestion, continued monitoring is required.

Emergency Actions and When to Seek Help

In the event of a suspected overdosage, an individual must immediately contact a poison control center or seek advice from a healthcare professional. Urgent medical attention is explicitly required if the affected person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, has trouble breathing, or cannot be awakened. Regulatory notes indicate that pediatric patients should receive prompt medical evaluation following any suspected overdose.

Management and Antidote Status

Treatment for overdosage is strictly symptomatic and supportive. Regulatory statements confirm that no specific antidote is known for this active ingredient. Procedural measures such as gastric lavage or the administration of activated charcoal may be considered in a clinical setting if the ingestion was recent. Due to the high protein binding of the active substance, hemodialysis is not expected to be a beneficial management measure.

Therapeutic Uses of Amprosol

Quick Facts: Amprosol Therapeutic Domains

  • Helps manage symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
  • Supports healing of erosive esophagitis in the esophagus.
  • Assists in the treatment of active duodenal and gastric ulcers.
  • May be used in combination with antibiotics to address H. pylori infection.
  • Aids in the long-term management of conditions that result in pathological hypersecretion of stomach acid, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Amprosol is used to address medical conditions related to excessive stomach acid. In adults and children, it may help manage the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), including heartburn and acid regurgitation. This medication is indicated for the short-term treatment of active duodenal ulcers and active benign gastric ulcers, and supports the maintenance of healing for erosive esophagitis that is due to acid-mediated GERD.

For patients who have peptic ulcer disease caused by Helicobacter pylori infection, Amprosol is utilized in combination with appropriate antibiotics to promote the eradication of the bacteria. Additionally, it provides a role in the treatment of pathological hypersecretory conditions, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, for adults who require long-term management of acid levels.

Regulatory References

  1. NIH MedlinePlus guidance

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Population Eligibility for Amprosol

Amprosol (Amprolium) is an anticoccidial product, and its eligibility profile is defined exclusively by veterinary regulatory bodies, specifying use in approved animal species and production types.

Eligibility Status Defined Populations (Regulatory Basis)
Absolutely Contraindicated Humans (Explicitly labeled “NOT FOR HUMAN USE”). Animals with known hypersensitivity to Amprolium or its components.
Approved for Use Growing Chickens, Turkeys, and Laying Hens for the treatment and prevention of coccidiosis. Growing Pheasants for prevention (FDA, DailyMed, eCFR).
Use Restricted or Limited Laying Birds Producing Eggs for Human Consumption (Prohibited in some regions; subject to food residue rules). Animals with conditions like intercurrent disease that may affect drug intake. Calves intended for future breeding [HPRA, 21 CFR 558.55].

Age- and Condition-Based Rules

Eligibility for poultry is tied to age, with separate schedules for chicks and older laying hens as specified in regulatory code. Use in breeding pheasants is subject to caution due to insufficient data on fertility and hatchability. Prolonged use is restricted due to the drug’s potential to induce Thiamine (Vitamin B1) deficiency [EMA Summary Report]. The product is mandated for use as the sole source of Amprolium during the treatment period.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

Amprosol can interact with other medicines through two main mechanisms: by significantly reducing gastric acidity and by inhibiting the enzyme CYP2 C19.

Official Interaction Profile

Interaction Type Examples of Affected Medicines/Products Regulatory Constraint
Reduced Absorption Nelfinavir, Atazanavir, Ketoconazole, Iron Salts Avoid or Restrict Concomitant Use
CYP2 C19 Inhibition Clopidogrel, Diazepam, Cilostazol, Phenytoin Avoid Clopidogrel; Monitor and Adjust others
Reduced Amprosol Exposure Rifampin, St. John's Wort Avoid Concomitant Use

Practical Implications of Official Constraints:

  • Antiretrovirals: Co-administration with Nelfinavir is officially contraindicated, and use with Atazanavir is not recommended, as Amprosol substantially decreases the plasma concentrations of these medicines.
  • Anticoagulants and Platelet Inhibitors: The combination with Clopidogrel is officially avoided due to the risk of diminished antiplatelet effect. For Warfarin and other Coumarin derivatives, frequent monitoring of INR and prothrombin time is required.
  • Other Drugs Requiring Monitoring: Use with medicines having a narrow therapeutic index, such as Digoxin, Tacrolimus, and Phenytoin, requires close monitoring of plasma drug levels and potential dose adjustments.

Before starting Amprosol, a complete review of all current medicines, including over-the-counter products and herbal supplements like St. John's Wort, is essential to prevent clinically significant interactions.

Mechanism of Action

The core action of Amprosol is exerted through a mechanism of competitive metabolic antagonism that targets the Eimeria protozoa. The entire mechanism is defined by its selective interruption of the parasite's nutrient uptake and subsequent energy production pathway.

1. Competitive Blockade of Parasite Thiamine Uptake

Amprolium functions as a structural analogue of thiamine (Vitamin B1), competitively binding to and blocking the specialized thiamine transporters on the parasite's cell membrane. This blockade is the initial mechanistic step, preventing the uptake of the essential vitamin required for its internal processes.

2. Interruption of Parasite Carbohydrate Metabolism

The resulting drug-induced thiamine deficiency prevents the parasite from synthesizing Thiamine Pyrophosphate (TPP), a crucial co-factor for enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism. This disruption impedes the parasite's energy-yielding processes, resulting in the disorganization of its internal metabolism.

3. Physiological Arrest of Schizont Development

The lack of essential energy and co-factor supply specifically prevents the rapid division and maturation of the pathogenic schizont stages within the host's intestinal cells. This targeted physiological effect influences the organism's capacity for replication and multiplication, functionally defining the drug's coccidiostatic profile.

Dosage and Administration Information

Official Administration Principles

The administration of Amprosol is strictly confined to the oral route for approved species, utilizing forms such as soluble powder and oral solution delivered via medicated drinking water or incorporation into feed. The official use protocol is defined by the species and the intended goal (treatment vs. prevention).

For calves, the regimen is weight-based, typically requiring a dose of 5 mg/ kg body weight daily for prevention or 10 mg/ kg for a treatment course. Poultry administration relies on water concentration, commonly 0.012% of amprolium in the drinking water for a standard treatment.


Dosing Frequency and Duration

Amprosol requires a daily frequency throughout the course of use. A standard acute treatment regimen is typically maintained for five consecutive days. For prevention, the drug may be administered continuously in feed or over a duration of up to 21 days during high-risk periods. Following a severe outbreak, a reduced concentration may be continued for an additional one to two weeks.


Procedural Constraints

Standard administration protocols define specific conditions for proper use. The medicated water or feed must serve as the animal's sole source of drinking water and Amprolium during the administration period, and medicated water should be mixed fresh daily. Furthermore, the drug is subject to specific use-context constraints. It is strictly prohibited for use in calves destined for veal production and must not be fed to laying birds in production. A mandatory withdrawal period must be observed before treated animals are processed for food.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Amprosol: Overview of Studies

The research supporting the regulatory profile of Amprosol (Amprolium), a veterinary coccidiostat, is primarily based on short-term Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and controlled floor pen studies. These studies examined the medicine's profile in common populations like growing chickens and turkeys, and included comparative research against other agents. Researchers monitored outcomes related to animal health, including mortality rates and outcomes reflecting daily functioning, like body weight and feed conversion ratio.

For cattle, the evidence profile was evaluated in studies that explored outcomes in the context of coccidiosis in young, pre-ruminating calves. These studies generally focus on conditions characterized by fluctuating parasitic infection. The research examined the medicine in controlled settings, where the primary focus was studied for outcomes monitoring physiological strain and quantifying parasitic shedding over defined time intervals.

Research has explored both short-term study durations and continuous administration study designs. The studies observed responses over time, but the available follow-up durations were limited in many primary studies. There is limited information for long-term outcomes regarding the sustained management of coccidiosis.

Research has also been conducted in special animal subgroups, such as very young birds and young calves, which were identified as highly susceptible populations. However, data for certain groups remain insufficient when compared to the comprehensive research available for common commercial poultry. Findings were mixed regarding the compound’s profile against current field strains of the parasite. Research highlights areas where certainty remains low, especially concerning the development of drug resistance and the need for more comprehensive field-based data to fully characterize performance under all diverse, real-world farming conditions.

Key Studies & References

  1. New Animal Drug Application (NADA) 12-350 for Amprolium (AMPROL® 25%) Medicated Article - FDA
  2. Original New Animal Drug Application (NADA) 013-149 for Amprolium (CORID®) Oral Solution (Reference Listed Drug for Calves) - FDA
  3. Supplemental Freedom of Information Summary for NADA 12-350 (Amprolium in Pheasants) - FDA
  4. Impact of Eimeria meleagrimitis and intermittent amprolium treatment on performance and the gut microbiome composition of Turkey poults - Frontiers in Veterinary Science (2023)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Amprosol (FAQ)

Q: What should I do if my animal misses a scheduled dose?

Official regulatory documents do not provide specific instructions for managing a missed dose. Product information generally states that the drug is intended to be the sole source of medicated water or feed during the defined treatment period, which is essential for consistent administration. It is also noted that the medicated water should be replaced every 24 hours to ensure freshness.


Q: What happens if I accidentally administer an overdose?

Administration of a dose higher than recommended may cause reduced weight gain in broilers. Overdose can also result in a thiamine (Vitamin B1) deficiency, potentially leading to signs such as lethargy, anorexia, and sometimes neurological symptoms. Regulatory notes indicate that, in cases of severe thiamine deficiency resulting from overdose, the administration of thiamine is the recognized clinical approach.


Q: Can Amprosol be used for other types of protozoal infections besides Eimeria?

Official regulatory indications for Amprosol are consistently limited to the prevention and treatment of coccidiosis caused by Eimeria species in approved animals. The drug is classified as a coccidiostat, meaning its action is specifically directed against this type of protozoa, and it is not generally indicated for other parasitic conditions.


Q: What is the required cleanup procedure if the medicated water spills?

If medicated water or powder is spilled, official safety documents recommend that the material be managed by immediate collection. This is typically done using an inert absorbent material or by vacuuming, followed by placement into a suitable container for local disposal procedures. It is essential to prevent the product from entering water courses or the general environment.


Q: Is there any specific preparation required before mixing Amprosol with drinking water?

Official product information outlines certain preparation steps. It is generally noted that the product should be mixed thoroughly with water to ensure uniform concentration before final delivery. The label also specifies that the medicated water should be mixed fresh daily to maintain stability and effectiveness.


Q: How quickly does Amprosol start working after the first dose?

Studies summarized in regulatory reviews suggest the drug is absorbed and eliminated from the body relatively quickly after oral administration. Pharmacokinetic data show that peak plasma concentrations (Tmax) are typically reached within a few hours of administration in target animal populations. These pharmacokinetic findings suggest that the body begins processing the drug relatively soon after it is administered.

How should Amprosol be stored and disposed of?

The official labeling for Amprosol (Amprolium) specifies mandatory storage conditions to ensure product stability and integrity.

Storage Requirements

  • Temperature and Humidity: The product must be stored within a controlled room temperature range, typically between 5°C to 25°C (41°F to 77°F). Prolonged exposure to high humidity must be avoided.
  • Child Safety: It is required to keep this and all drugs out of the reach of children.
  • In-Use Stability: Prepared stock solutions must be held in a clean, closed container and remain stable for a maximum of three days.

Disposal Instructions

Disposal of unused or expired product and related waste material must be managed in accordance with local requirements. The regulatory documents explicitly state that the product and its containers must not be allowed to enter water courses.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

Available in countries:

Equivalent of Amprosol found in:

A-Z Index: