Drug Name

Chloramphenicol

Drug Uses

Chloramphenicol is used for treating serious infections caused by certain bacteria.

How to use

Use Chloramphenicol as directed by your doctor.

• Take Chloramphenicol by mouth with or without food.

Drug Class and Mechanism

Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic. It works by killing or slowing the growth of sensitive bacteria.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of Chloramphenicol, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Storage

Store Chloramphenicol at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Keep Chloramphenicol out of the reach of children and away from pets.

Warnings/Precautions

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;
• you are taking other medicines that may decrease your bone marrow (e.g., cancer chemotherapy); check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure if any of your other medicines may decrease your bone marrow.

• Do not exceed the recommended dose or use Chloramphenicol for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.
• Chloramphenicol is effective only against bacteria. It is not effective for treating viral infections (e.g., the common cold).
• It is important to use Chloramphenicol for the full course of treatment. Failure to do so may decrease the effectiveness of Chloramphenicol and increase the risk that the bacteria will no longer be sensitive to Chloramphenicol and will not be able to be treated by this or certain other antibiotics in the future.
• Long-term or repeated use of Chloramphenicol may cause a second infection. Your doctor may want to change your medicine to treat the second infection. Contact your doctor if signs of a second infection occur.
• Chloramphenicol may lower your body's ability to fight infection. Prevent infection by avoiding contact with people with colds or other infections. Notify your doctor of any signs of infection, including fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.
• Chloramphenicol may reduce the number of clot-forming cells (platelets) in your blood. To prevent bleeding, avoid situations in which bruising or injury may occur. Report any unusual bleeding, bruising, blood in stools, or dark, tarry stools to your doctor.
• Diabetes patients - Chloramphenicol may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely and ask your doctor before adjusting the dose of your diabetes medicine.
• Lab tests, including complete blood cell counts, may be performed to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: If you become pregnant while taking Chloramphenicol , discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Chloramphenicol during pregnancy. Chloramphenicol should be used with extreme caution during full-term pregnancy and labor because the fetus may experience severe side effects. Chloramphenicol is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Chloramphenicol.

Possible Side Effects

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:

• mild diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting.

• 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 color, vomiting, shock, difficulty breathing, refusal to suck, loose green stools, limp muscles, low temperature); unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual tiredness; vision changes.

More Information

Chloramphenicol is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.