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Chloramphenicol

    Brands

    DEA Class; Rx

    Common Brand Names; Chloramphenicol IV, Chloromycetin

    • Antibiotics, Other

    Inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to 50S ribosomal subunit; mainly bacteriostatic

    Indicated for Serious Infections Caused by Susceptible Strains.

    Use only as alternative for treatment of meningitis, typhoid, or rickettsial infection

    Hypersensitivity

    Oral or topical use

    Bacterial prophylaxis

    Viral infections

    • Nightmares
    • Headache
    • Rash
    • Diarrhea
    • Stomatitis
    • Enterocolitis
    • Nausea
    • Vomiting
    • Bone marrow suppression
    • Aplastic anemia
    • Peripheral neuropathy
    • Optic neuritis
    • Gray syndrome

    Avoid, if possible, repeated courses of chloramphenicol treatment

    Do not continue treatment longer than required to cure the disease with little or no risk of relapse of the disease

    Impaired liver or kidney function may cause excessive blood levels of the drug at recommended dose; adjust dosage accordingly; preferably determine blood concentration at appropriate intervals

    The use of antibiotics may result in overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms, including fungi; take appropriate measures if nonsusceptible organisms appear during therapy

    Gray syndrome reported in premature and neonate; characterized by abdominal distension with or without emesis, progressive pallid cyanosis, vasomotor collapse that is frequently accompanied by irregular respiration, death within a few hours of onset of these symptoms; may be associated with serum levels >50 mcg/mL after repeated doses

    Pregnancy Category: C

    Lactation: enters breast milk; discontinue drug or do not nurse

    Adults

    200 mg/day PO or IV.

    Geriatric

    200 mg/day PO or IV.

    Adolescents

    200 mg/day PO or IV.

    Children

    12 years: 200 mg/day PO or IV.
    1 to 11 years: Safety and efficacy have not been established.

    Infants

    Safety and efficacy have not been established.

    Neonates

    Safety and efficacy have not been established.

    Chloramphenicol

    injectable solution

    • 1000mg/vial