Chloromycetin

Chloromycetin (CHLORAMPHENICOL) is an antibiotic that is clinically useful for, and should be reserved for, serious infections caused by organisms susceptible to its antimicrobial effects when less potentially hazardous therapeutic agents are ineffective or contraindicated. Sensitivity testing is essential to determine its indicated use, but may be performed concurrently with therapy initiated on clinical impression that one of the indicated conditions exists.

Common uses

Treating serious infections caused by certain bacteria.
Chloromycetin is an antibiotic. It works by killing or slowing the growth of sensitive bacteria.

Before using

Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes. Tell your doctor if you have or have had anaemia, bleeding or other blood problems.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding. Your doctor can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved. If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell him/her before you start using Chloromycetin.

Directions

For eyes: Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. To use this medicine, first, wash your hands. Tilt your head back and, with your index finger, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to form a pouch. Drop the medicine into the pouch and gently close your eyes. Do not blink and keep your eyes closed for 1 or 2 minutes. Remove excess medicine around your eye with a clean tissue, being careful not to touch your eye. Wash your hands to remove any medicine that may be on them.
For ears:
• Lie down or tilt the head so that the infected ear faces up. Gently pull the earlobe up and back for adults (down and back for children) to straighten the ear canal. Drop the medicine into the ear canal. Keep the ear facing up for about 1 or 2 minutes to allow the medicine to come into contact with the infection. A sterile cotton plug may be gently inserted into the ear opening to prevent the medicine from leaking out.
• To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the dropper to any surface (including the ear). Also, keep the container tightly closed.

Cautions

Serious blood dyscrasias (aplastic anemia, hypoplastic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and granulocytopenia) are known to occur after the administration of chloramphenicol. In addition, there have been reports of aplastic anemia attributed to chloramphenicol which later terminated in leukemia. Blood dyscrasias have occurred after both short-term and prolonged therapy with this drug. Chloramphenicol must not be used when less potentially dangerous agents will be effective

Possible side effects

This medication may temporarily cause redness, irritation, itching or swelling of the area. If these symptoms continue or become bothersome, inform your doctor. Notify your doctor if you experience a skin rash, breathing trouble, unusual bruising or bleeding, weakness. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

If you take too much

Chloramphenicol sodium succinate must be hydrolyzed to its microbiologically active form and there is a big lag in achieving adequate blood levels compared with the base given IV. 'The oral form of chloramphenicol is readily absorbed and adequate blood levels are achieved and maintained on the recommended dosage.
Patients started on IV chloramphenicol sodium succinate should be changed to the oral form as soon as practicable.

Drug interactions

The following drugs may last longer than expected if used concurrently with chloramphenicol:
• Phenytoin (used for both heart disease and for seizures)
• Primidone (used for seizures)
• Phenobarbital (used for seizures)
• Cyclophosphamide (used in chemotherapy)
The use of the following drugs may interfere with the activity of chloramphenicol:
• Phenobarbital (used to control seizures as noted)
• Amoxicillin (another antibiotic)
• Erythromycin (another antibiotic)
• Clindamycin (another antibiotic)
• Tylosin (an antidiarrheal antibiotic)
The use of chloramphenicol may interfere with vaccinations.