Chloramphenicol: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What Drug Chloramphenicol?

What medicine is Chloramphenicol?

Chloramphenicol is a drug that is useful for treating bacterial infections of the eye. Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic that works by stopping the growth of bacteria.

Chloramphenicol is a drug that only treats bacterial infections of the eye. It will not work for other types of eye infections, or viral infections. The unnecessary or incorrect use of any antibiotic can result in reduced effectiveness.

How do you use Chloramphenicol?

Chloramphenicol is a drug whose use must be considered. Do not wear contact lenses while you are using this medicine.

Sterilize contact lenses according to the manufacturer's instructions, and check with your doctor before starting to use them again.

To apply chloramphenicol eye ointment, wash your hands first. To avoid contamination, take care that the tip of the chloramphenicol package does not touch your fingers and does not come into contact with your eyes.

Tilt your head back, look up, and slowly lower your lower eyelid. Apply chloramphenicol ointment 1 cm long on the inside of the lower eyelid, then close the eye slowly and move the eyeball in all directions to disperse the drug. Don't try to blink or rub your eyes.

Repeat this step for the other eye as needed. Use according to doctor's instructions. Wipe the end of the chloramphenicol ointment tube with a clean tissue to remove residual medication before starting again.

If you are using other types of eye medication (for example, drops or ointment), wait for at least 5-10 minutes before using any other medicine. Use eye drops before eye ointment so that the drops get into the eye.

Use chloramphenicol drugs regularly for maximum benefits. To help you remember, use the medicine at the same time every day. Continue until the chloramphenicol drug runs out.

Stopping treatment with chloramphenicol too early may keep bacteria from growing, which may result in a recurrence of the infection.

Tell your doctor if your condition doesn't get better or gets worse.

How is Chloramphenicol stored?

Chloramphenicol is a drug that is best stored at room temperature. Keep away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it.

Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed.

Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Chloramphenicol Usage Rules

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the Chloramphenicol dosage for adults?

• For the ophthalmic ointment dosage, use one drop every 3 hours.
• For the dose of ophthalmic solution (eye drops) use one drop every 1-4 hours.

What is the dosage of Chloramphenicol for children?

• For the ophthalmic ointment dosage, use one drop every 3 hours.
• For the dose of the ophthalmic solution (eye drops), use one drop every 1-4 hours.

In what dosage is Chloramphenicol available?

Chloramphenicol is a drug that is available in the following preparations:

• solution
• Ointment
• powder

Chloramphenicol dosage

What side effects can be experienced due to Chloramphenicol?

Chloramphenicol is a drug that can cause side effects. Check with your doctor if any of the most common symptoms persist or can be bothersome:

• mild diarrhea
• nausea
• gag.

Seek medical care immediately if symptoms of severe side effects occur: Severe allergic reaction (rash, itching, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue) confusion dark urine delirium depression headache fever, chills, or pain sore, red, or swollen throat at the injection site symptoms of "gray syndrome" in infants (swollen stomach, pale or blue skin, vomiting, shock, difficulty breathing, refusing to suck, greenish stools, weak muscles, low body temperature) bleeding or bruising, unusual tiredness, unusual vision changes.

The list of side effects mentioned above is not exhaustive. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider.

Not everyone experiences these side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Chloramphenicol side effects

What should be known before using Chloramphenicol?

When making the decision to use chloramphenicol, it is important to know what the risks and warnings of this drug are.

It is up to you and your doctor. For this drug, things to consider are:

• Allergy

Tell your doctor if you have had any allergic reactions or unusual symptoms to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your healthcare professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as food, coloring, preservatives, or animals. For over-the-counter medications, read the label or package carefully.

• Children

Research on this drug has only been conducted in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing the benefits of the drug for children with benefits for other age groups.

• Elderly

Many drugs have not been studied especially for the elderly. Thus, it is not known whether they work exactly as they should in young adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in the elderly. There is no specific information comparing the benefits of the drug for children with benefits for other age groups.

Is Chloramphenicol safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication.

Chloramphenicol is a drug that falls into the category C pregnancy risk (possibly risky) according to US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

Chloramphenicol Drug Warnings and Cautions

What medicines may interact with Chloramphenicol?

Although several types of drugs cannot be taken at the same time, there are also cases where the drugs can be taken simultaneously if there is an interaction.

However, some types of drugs that should be avoided taking with chloramphenicol are:

• anticoagulant drugs or blood thinners
• hypoglycemia drugs

In this case, the doctor may change the dose, or may need to be prevented. Tell a healthcare professional if you are taking medication with or without a prescription.

Using chloramphenicol together with the following medicines is not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both are prescribed simultaneously, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both drugs.

• Citalopram
• Voriconazole

Taking chloramphenicol together with any of the medicines below has the potential to increase the risk of side effects. However, using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both drugs are prescribed simultaneously, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both drugs.

• Ceftazidime
• Chlorpropamide
• Cyclosporine
• Dicumarol
• Fosphenytoin
• Phenytoin

Can food or alcohol interact with Chloramphenicol?

Certain drugs cannot be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur.

Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions may interact with Chloramphenicol?

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this drug. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have other medical problems.

Chloramphenicol Drug Interactions

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, use it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.