Chloramphenicol

Description

Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic that can eliminate or stall bacterial infections. Chloramphenicol is only prescribed when other types of antibiotics are deemed ineffective against the infection.

 

 

 

Drug Information

 

Chloramphenicol is a broad spectrum activity antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections in various parts of the body, including the eye.

 

Chloramphenicol was originally intended to treat typhoid. However, as the Salmonella typhi bacteria that causes the disease has become drug resistant, Chloramphenicol is only prescribed when the microorganism is known to be vulnerable to the drug. Chloramphenicol is an effective treatment for cholera, meningitis (useful against all three types) and the plague.

 

Chloramphenicol can easily penetrate the blood-brain barrier. Therefore, it is considered a first-line treatment against abbesses in the brain caused by bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus.

 

Chloramphenicol is the choice form of treatment for patients who are severely allergic to penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotics, especially when infected with meningitis. Chloramphenicol is also used against Enterococcus faecium bacterial infections that are resistant to the antibiotic vancomycin.

 

Chloramphenicol is available as capsules, oral suspension, powder for dissolving, injections and eye drops.

 

Dosage

 

Chloramphenicol doses are prescribed considering the bacterial strain being targeted and the weight of the patient.

 

Chloramphenicol should only be taken with a physician’s prescription.

 

Because Chloramphenicol can cause severe side effects, the medicine should be used exactly as prescribed. Do not increase the dose as doing so may result in a life-threatening adverse reaction. Do not stop taking Chloramphenicol before the period of treatment ends as it could cause the infection to return.

 

Chloramphenicol injections should be administered by a medical professional.

 

Do not take two doses of Chloramphenicol together to make up for a missed dose. If a dose is missed, it should be taken soon after remembering. However, if the time is too close to the next dose, do not take the missed dose. Take

 

Chloramphenicol same time each day to make it easier to remember your dose.

 

Side Effects

 

Chloramphenicol may cause one or more of the following side effects:

 

 Diarrhea
 Vomiting
 Nausea
 Headache
 Confusion
 Sores in the mouth or on the tongue
 Depressive feelings

 

Side effects should disappear within a week or so. Consult a doctor if side effects last for more than 7 days.

 

Immediately report severe side effects such as watery or bloody diarrhea, especially if it persists for more than a week. This indicates that the infection has not cleared.

 

Side effects other than the ones mentioned above could occur in certain individuals.

 

Precautions

 

 Do not use if allergic to Chloramphenicol or similar antibiotics.

 

 Chloramphenicol in the injection form can cause a decrease in certain kinds of blood cells leading to serious conditions such as leukemia or anemia. Therefore, immediately report to the doctor if you notice signs of pale skin, flu-like symptoms, excessive bleeding, easy bruising, and shortness of breath or fatigue.

 

 Patients are recommended to undergo regular blood testing to make sure the number of blood cells remain in the normal range.

 

 Chloramphenicol should not be used if another antibiotic can treat the infection.