Chloramphenicol

Should be taken on an empty stomach (i.e. At least one hour before food or two hours after food).

Hypersensitivity. Treatment of trivial or minor infections (e.g. viral infections, infections of the throat); for use as prophylaxis of bacterial infections. Known or family history of blood dyscrasias including aplastic anaemia. History of myelosuppression with previous use of chloramphenicol. Perforated tympanic membrane (otic). Acute porphyria. Not for use during active immunisation. Pregnancy and lactation (oral, IV). Concomitant administration of drugs known to cause bone marrow depression.

The use of chloramphenicol should only be reserved if other treatments are ineffective, and its use should always be accompanied by monitoring. Avoid prolonged use and repeated courses. Chloramphenicol may be administered via IM inj in certain patients, however its effectivity remain to be determined; refer to specific country guidelines prior to administration. Renal and hepatic impairment. Neonates, children, and elderly. Pregnancy and lactation (ophthalmic, otic). Patient Counselling Ophthalmic: Chloramphenicol ophthalmic solution may cause transient blurred vision, if affected, do not drive or operate machinery. Do not use contact lenses during treatment. Monitoring Parameters Perform culture and susceptibility tests; consult local recommendations before treatment initiation due to antibiotic resistance risks. Monitor serum drug concentrations (particularly in neonates and infants); hepatic and renal functions; CBC with differential (at baseline and every 2 days during treatment).

Significant: Delayed corneal healing (ophthalmic ointment). Blood and lymphatic system disorders: Increased bleeding time. Ear and labyrinth disorders: Ototoxicity. Eye disorders: Optic neuritis leading to blindness, blurred vision, transient blindness. Gastrointestinal disorders: Nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, diarrhoea, glossitis, stomatitis, enterocolitis. General disorders and administration site conditions: Fever. Nervous system disorders: Headache, peripheral neuritis. Psychiatric disorders: Mental depression, confusion. Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: Macular and vesicular rash, urticaria. Vascular disorders: Acidotic CV collapse.
Potentially Fatal: Serious blood dyscrasias (e.g. aplastic anaemia, hypoplastic anaemia, thrombocytopenia, granulocytopenia), Grey baby syndrome, severe hypersensitivity reactions (e.g. angioedema, anaphylaxis, urticaria, fever, vesicular and maculopapular dermatitis); superinfection (e.g. overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms, including fungi; Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhoea and pseudomembranous colitis).

Prolonged elimination thereby causing increased serum levels of warfarin, phenytoin, tolbutamide, and sulfonylureas. Reduced or increased plasma levels with rifampicin. Prolonged half-life with paracetamol. May increase the plasma levels of calcineurin inhibitors (e.g. ciclosporin, tacrolimus). Decreased serum levels with barbiturates; may decrease the metabolism of phenobarbitone. May attenuate (small chance) the therapeutic effect of oral estrogen-containing contraceptives. Reduced response to vitamin B₁₂ (hydroxocobalamin).

Chloramphenicols / Ear Anti-Infectives & Antiseptics / Eye Anti-Infectives & Antiseptics

S01AA01 - chloramphenicol ; Belongs to the class of antibiotics. Used in the treatment of eye infections.
D06AX02 - chloramphenicol ; Belongs to the class of other topical antibiotics used in the treatment of dermatological diseases.
S03AA08 - chloramphenicol ; Belongs to the class of antiinfectives used in ophthalmologic and otologic preparations.
J01BA01 - chloramphenicol ; Belongs to the class of amphenicols. Used in the systemic treatment of infections.
S02AA01 - chloramphenicol ; Belongs to the class of antiinfectives used in the treatment of ear infections.
G01AA05 - chloramphenicol ; Belongs to the class of antibiotics. Used in the treatment of gynecological infections.
D10AF03 - chloramphenicol ; Belongs to the class of topical antiinfective preparations used in the treatment of acne.