Details

Chloramphenicol is used for treating serious infections caused by certain bacteria. Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic. It works by killing or slowing the growth of sensitive bacteria. Do not use chloramphenicol if you are allergic to any ingredient in chloramphenicol you have previously had serious side effects from chloramphenicol you have a low white or red blood cell count or decreased blood platelets you have a minor infection such as a cold, flu, throat infection, or you are using chloramphenicol to prevent a bacterial infection or you are taking other medicines that may decrease your bone marrow (e.g., cancer chemotherapy).

Typical Uses

Chloramphenicol is used to treat severe life-threatening infections, particularly those caused by haemophilus influenzae and typhoid fever. It is also used to treat certain eye infections. It is also used in the treatment of a wide range of bacterial infections of the outer ear.

Side Effects

Contact your doctor immediately if you encounter certain warning signs including severe allergic reactions (rash hives itching difficulty breathing tightness in the chest swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue) confusion dark urine delirium depression headache fever, chills, or sore throat pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site symptoms of "gray syndrome" in an infant (swelling of the abdomen, pale or blue skin colour, vomiting, shock, difficulty breathing, refusal to suck, loose green stools, limp muscles, low temperature) unusual bleeding or bruising unusual tiredness vision changes.

Drug Interactions

• Chloramphenicol+hydrocodone- Chloramphenicol may increase the blood levels of hydrocodone. This may increase side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, light-headedness, difficulty concentrating, and impairment in thinking and judgment. In severe cases, low blood pressure, respiratory distress, fainting, coma, or even death may occur.

• Chloramphenicol+deferiprone- Deferiprone can lower white blood cell count, and combining it with other medications that can also affect bone marrow function such as chloramphenicol may increase the risk. You may be more likely to develop serious and potentially life-threatening infections as a result.

• Chloramphenicol+flibanserin- Using flibanserin together with chloramphenicol is not recommended. Combining these medications can significantly increase the blood levels of flibanserin, which may cause excessive drowsiness and decreases in blood pressure that can lead to dizziness, light-headedness, fainting, and accidental injury.

• Chloramphenicol+naloxegol- Chloramphenicol can significantly increase the blood levels of naloxegol. You may be more likely to experience side effects and withdrawal symptoms such as sweating, tearing, runny nose, chills, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, anxiety, insomnia, irritability, restlessness, and yawning.

Mechanism of action

Chloramphenicol is a man-made antibiotic. It slows growth of bacteria by preventing them from producing important proteins that they need to survive. Chloramphenicol is effective against S. typhi, H. influenzae, E. coli, Neisseria species, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species, Rickettsia, and lymphogranuloma-psittacosis group of organisms.

Pregnancy Category : C