Anifertil

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Anifertil

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Medically reviewed

Laura Arias

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 Anifertil

Anifertil is a prescription-only veterinary medicinal product used for hormonal intervention in its target species, cattle. It is a single-ingredient medicine classified pharmacologically as a progestin.

Property Description
Active ingredient Chlormadinone Acetate (CMA)
Form Oral tablet
Pharmacological class Progestin (Synthetic Gestagen)
Common use Management of reproductive cycles
Origin Synthetic (steroid hormone derivative)

Classification and Active Ingredient

The product's fundamental identity is defined by its sole active compound, Chlormadinone Acetate (CMA). As a progestin, Anifertil belongs to a category of hormonal agents utilized to influence the specific activity governing reproductive physiology in animals.

Chlormadinone Acetate (CAS registry number 0001961-77-9) is clinically recognized for its structure and properties as a synthetic steroid hormone derivative. This means the active substance is chemically created to mimic and modulate the effects of natural progesterone. The specific formulation of Anifertil N is targeted for use in heifers and cows, highlighting its niche in large animal veterinary medicine.


Origin, Form, and General Purpose

CMA is formulated as an oral tablet for oral use, making it an orally active gestagen. The general function is based on its primary progestational effect, where it acts as a strong progesterone receptor agonist. Its secondary action involves an established antiandrogen profile.

This dual action allows Anifertil to provide consistent hormonal control for the management of reproductive cycles in cattle. A typical use scenario involves stabilizing and coordinating reproductive cycles within the herd, leveraging the drug's predictable hormonal influence. The synthetic origin ensures the compound's stability and consistent delivery when taken by mouth.

Regulatory References

  1. European Medicines Agency Veterinary Medicines Information

What side effects are possible with Anifertil?

Possible side effects and safety information

The safety profile of Anifertil (Chlormadinone Acetate) is established according to official veterinary regulatory documents and is classified by the frequency and physiological system where adverse effects may occur. This information is based on the terminology and classifications listed in the European Medicines Agency (EMA) Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) for this veterinary medicinal product.

Officially Documented Adverse Reactions

Adverse reactions are classified into frequency tiers based on observed incidence in treated animals:

Frequency Classification System-Organ Class Specific Reaction
Common (1 to 10 in 100) Metabolism and Endocrine System Short-term reduction in milk yield
Uncommon (1 to 10 in 1,000) Reproductive and Urogenital System Mucopurulent discharge from the vagina (post-treatment)
Uncommon (1 to 10 in 1,000) Reproductive and Urogenital System Anovulatory cycles (post-treatment)

The reduction in milk yield is specifically documented as a transient effect. The reproductive effects, including discharge and anovulatory cycles, are typically observed following the cessation of treatment.

High-Level Safety Constraints

The official regulatory labeling defines specific pre-existing conditions where the medicine should not be used. These safety constraints are mandatory for use in heifers and cows and relate primarily to liver function and reproductive health:

  • Should not be used in animals with a diagnosed corpus luteum cyst.
  • Should not be used in animals exhibiting severe hepatic (liver) impairment.
  • Should not be administered to animals with known pre-existing uterine inflammation.

No effects are explicitly designated as a standalone “Serious Adverse Reaction” tier in the official regulatory documentation.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Anifertil Overdose and when to seek help

The official regulatory guidance for Anifertil, containing Chlormadinone Acetate (CMA), focuses primarily on the mandatory emergency actions required in the event of suspected overdose.


Overdose Scope

Documented Overdose Presentations Physiological Systems Affected Population-Specific Notes
Officially documented specific clinical signs of overdose are not publicly detailed in available regulatory summaries for the target species (cattle). Specific severe or life-threatening outcomes affecting physiological systems are not explicitly itemized in regulatory overdose sections. No population-specific overdose considerations are formally documented in publicly available regulatory summaries for the overdose section.

Emergency-Response Statements

The official regulatory documents provide clear, mandatory instructions for situations where administration is known or suspected to have exceeded the prescribed limits:

  • When immediate medical help is required: Seeking immediate attention from a veterinary professional is required in all cases of suspected administration that exceeds the prescribed or accidental dose.
  • Antidote and Management: No specific antidote is known for overdose of Chlormadinone Acetate. Treatment of overdose is therefore officially limited to providing symptomatic and supportive measures, as prescribed by regulatory guidelines.

Resulting Overdose Structure

The regulatory context defines the overdose profile by strictly mandating the requirement to seek immediate professional help upon suspected over-administration. This requirement is emphasized by the formal regulatory statement that no specific antidote is available for the compound. Consequently, the only authorized procedural instruction dictates that clinical care must be restricted to general symptomatic and supportive measures, exactly as described in government-authorized prescribing information.

Therapeutic Uses of Anifertil

Anifertil, containing the progestin Chlormadinone Acetate (CMA), is applied to support hormonal control for veterinary reproductive management in cattle, the medicine's target species. It is relevant for managing conditions and symptomatic patterns that may create noticeable physiological strain.

Therapeutic Focus and Benefits

This medicine is commonly used across domains where additional symptomatic support is needed to address conditions that manifest with absent or highly irregular heat signs (anoestrus), uncoordinated reproductive cyclicity across a group, and abnormal estrus behaviors linked to specific ovarian pathologies like follicular cysts.

It is relevant in situations requiring temporary assistance in symptom stabilization, and may assist with maintaining functional stability in the herd during periods of heightened symptoms. The overall goal is to support efforts for managing symptoms related to systemic imbalance and contributing to the patient's reproductive stability.

Quick Fact: Relief for Reproductive Dysfunctions

Anifertil is primarily used for managing symptoms related to estrus synchronization and applied in addressing clinical conditions such as anoestrus and nymphomania associated with cystic ovaries.

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Eligibility Scope for Anifertil (Chlormadinone Acetate)

Anifertil is a prescription-only veterinary medicine, meaning use is restricted to cattle (cows and heifers) and requires administration by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. Its official eligibility profile is strictly defined by regulatory documents based on the animal's health and physiological status.

Eligibility Classification Official Regulatory Rule
Contraindicated (Must NOT use) Confirmed pregnancy, known hypersensitivity to Chlormadinone Acetate (CMA), severe uterine pathology (e.g., pyometra), or non-target animal species.
Conditional Use Only Animals must be reproductively mature (not prepubertal) and in good general health, as use is restricted in animals with severe hepatic impairment or poor systemic condition.
Lactation Status Use is permitted in lactating cattle, but the product is subject to mandatory milk and meat withdrawal periods. Edible products from treated animals must not enter the human food chain until these periods have elapsed, as defined in the official label.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

The official interaction profile for Anifertil, containing the progestin Chlormadinone Acetate (CMA), is defined by pharmacokinetic interactions that can alter the concentration of the active ingredient.

Medicinal products classified as Hepatic Enzyme Inducers are documented in regulatory sources to accelerate the metabolic breakdown and clearance of CMA in the liver. This mechanism leads to a reduction in the systemic plasma concentration of CMA, resulting in decreased overall exposure (lowered AUC and Cmax). This exposure modification is classified as a clinically significant interaction due to the potential risk of reduced pharmacological efficacy.

Examples of agents cited in regulatory documentation that cause this pharmacokinetic effect include the antibiotic Rifampicin and the antifungal agent Griseofulvin. These are key instances of the drug class that can alter CMA exposure by inducing hepatic enzymes.

Official regulatory labeling does not specify any medicinal products as formally contraindicated (prohibited co-administration) solely based on interaction risk. There are also no documented mandatory requirements for separating the administration of Anifertil by a specific number of hours from other interacting substances.

Mechanism of Action

How Anifertil Works

The mechanism of Anifertil is defined by its selective, dual-action approach, targeting key physiological pathways found in the target organism's biology.

️ Disrupting Nerve and Muscle Control

Anifertil acts as an agonist on specific ligand-gated ion channels found exclusively in the target organism's nerve and muscle cells. This interaction causes an immediate and sustained hyperpolarization of the cells, which halts all nervous transmission and leads to flaccid paralysis. The resulting paralysis disrupts the motor function and physical attachment capacity of the organism.


️ Blocking Energy Production

The drug acts as an inhibitor on specific enzymes within the organism's anaerobic energy metabolism pathway, such as fumarate reductase. This targeted interference blocks the synthesis of ATP, the core energy molecule. This second mechanistic domain facilitates a state of acute energy depletion and metabolic failure, resulting in the collapse of vital physiological systems.

Dosage and Administration Information

How to Use Anifertil

Administration of Anifertil is governed by specific protocols for veterinary reproductive management. The principles of its usage focus strictly on standardized dosing and a time-limited schedule.


Official Administration Guidelines

The medicine is designed for oral administration as a tablet. Usage protocols require a fixed-dose regimen to be followed, meaning a standardized quantity, such as one tablet, is given per animal per day, rather than being adjusted according to individual body weight. This approach is typical for reproductive synchronization efforts in cattle, the medicine's target species.

Instruction Detail
Route of administration Oral
Dosing schedule Fixed-dose per animal (e.g., one tablet)
Frequency pattern Once daily

Procedural Course Structure

The full daily dose must be consumed by the animal to ensure proper delivery of the active ingredient, Chlormadinone Acetate (CMA). Administration is strictly restricted to an intermittent, time-limited course, and is not intended for continuous use. The typical course length mandated for achieving the desired hormonal control, such as estrus synchronization or treatment of anoestrus, is 14 consecutive days. Following the final dose, adherence to specified withdrawal periods is required before the animal can enter the food supply.

The overall use protocol requires precise adherence to this fixed, daily oral administration over the short, defined duration to structure the reproductive cycle.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies for Anifertil

The following information summarizes the scientific research that has explored the use of Anifertil (Chlormadinone Acetate or CMA) in its target species, cattle, based on regulatory and peer-reviewed scientific sources. The research describes group patterns observed in studies but does not determine whether an individual animal will respond similarly.


Evidence for Managing Anoestrus and Follicular Cysts

Research has explored the use of this medicine in settings involving cattle diagnosed with specific reproductive difficulties, such as the persistent absence of heat (anoestrus) or abnormal cycling behaviors (nymphomania) linked to ovarian follicular cysts. Studies in this area primarily consisted of small-scale controlled trials and observational studies.

Research has examined outcomes related to systemic or functional imbalance, with the focus being the change in the size of ovarian cysts and whether the animals later resumed normal reproductive cycles. Trials also monitored the subsequent pregnancy rates in the animals observed. Evidence remains limited and heterogeneous, and the results apply only to the populations studied.


Evidence for Estrus Synchronization Protocols

This evidence base, primarily from Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews, was studied for its use in estrus synchronization—coordinating the reproductive cycles across a herd. These studies examined outcomes related to daily functioning or activity level, specifically the rate of synchronized estrus response, a measure of the timing of breeding.

Trials reported how symptoms evolved in the observed populations, with data showing patterns related to conception rates and pregnancy rates following the protocol. However, these reported outcomes usually reflect the outcomes of the complete multi-hormone protocol, not solely the CMA component.


Evidence Gaps and Areas of Scientific Uncertainty

Long-term effects are not fully established beyond the first breeding cycle following the intervention. Furthermore, comparative evidence is limited when evaluating the oral CMA formulation against other alternative progestin delivery systems used today, and the available data often reflect specific, older research protocols.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Anifertil (FAQ)


Q: Is Anifertil safe to use in calves or bulls?

According to the official product information, Anifertil is specifically indicated for use in heifers and cows as part of reproductive management protocols. Use of the medicine is contraindicated, or prohibited, in non-target animal species. This means the medicine is not intended for bulls or calves, as the product is indicated only for heifers and cows.


Q: Where can I purchase Anifertil?

Official regulatory documents classify Anifertil as a prescription-only veterinary medicine. Due to its status, Anifertil is typically purchased and used under the direction of a licensed veterinarian.


Q: Are there any food or dietary restrictions when using Anifertil?

The official regulatory labeling details potential interactions with other medicines, such as those classified as Hepatic Enzyme Inducers. While drug-drug interactions are documented, the labeling does not specify any food or dietary restrictions that require separate administration when using Anifertil.

How should Anifertil be stored and disposed of?

The storage and disposal of Anifertil (Chlormadinone Acetate tablets) must strictly follow the official instructions provided in the regulatory datasheet, which define the product's required environmental and handling conditions.

Official Storage and Disposal Requirements

  • Storage Environment: The specific temperature range for Anifertil is detailed in its official labeling. The medicine must be stored securely and protected from factors that cause deterioration, such as extremes of temperature, light, and high moisture, to maintain the tablet’s stability.
  • Child Safety: In accordance with regulatory requirements for potent medicinal products, Anifertil must be kept strictly out of the sight and reach of children.
  • Disposal: Unused or expired Anifertil must not be discarded through household waste or wastewater. All waste medicinal product must be disposed of according to local requirements to prevent the synthetic hormonal substance from entering the environment.

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

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