Chloramphenicol

Chloramphenicol is a broad-spectrum antibiotic medicine available in Bangladesh under many brand names. Below are its uses, dosage, side effects and precautions — and all brands with their current prices.

• Bacterial conjunctivitis and other superficial eye infections caused by susceptible organisms.
• Otitis externa or other susceptible bacterial ear infections when an antibiotic ear preparation is appropriate.
• Selected serious systemic bacterial infections caused by susceptible organisms, such as typhoid fever, meningitis, or rickettsial infections, only when safer alternatives are unsuitable or ineffective.

The dose and duration depend on the infection, dosage form, age, body weight, kidney or liver condition, and local resistance patterns. Eye or ear preparations are usually applied directly to the affected eye or ear for the prescribed course, while oral capsules or suspension should be taken exactly as prescribed. Do not stop early or extend treatment without the prescriber’s advice. Systemic Chloramphenicol should be used only under close medical supervision.

• Eye or ear stinging, burning, irritation, redness, itching, or temporary blurred vision after application.
• Allergic reactions such as rash, swelling, or worsening irritation.
• With oral or systemic use: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, mouth soreness, or fungal overgrowth.
• Serious but rare: bone marrow suppression, aplastic anaemia, low blood cell counts, unusual bruising or bleeding, severe infection, extreme tiredness, or pallor.
• Very rare with systemic exposure: optic or peripheral nerve problems, and “grey baby syndrome” in newborns.

Use Chloramphenicol carefully in people with liver disease, kidney disease, previous blood disorders, bone marrow problems, or a history of allergy to antibiotics. Oral/systemic treatment may require blood count monitoring. Do not use it for viral or fungal eye/ear infections unless specifically advised. Avoid contact lenses during treatment for an eye infection unless a clinician says it is safe. Ear drops should not be used if the eardrum may be perforated unless prescribed. Use under a registered doctor's or pharmacist's guidance.

• Oral/systemic Chloramphenicol may increase the effects or blood levels of warfarin, phenytoin, and some sulfonylurea diabetes medicines.
• Medicines that can affect bone marrow, such as cytotoxic chemotherapy or some other antibiotics, may increase the risk of blood disorders.
• Rifampicin and some enzyme-inducing medicines may reduce chloramphenicol levels.
• Tell the doctor or pharmacist about all prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, eye/ear products, and herbal supplements being used.

• Known allergy or hypersensitivity to chloramphenicol or any component of the product.
• Previous chloramphenicol-related bone marrow suppression or serious blood disorder.
• Use for minor infections or prevention of infection when safer alternatives are suitable, especially for systemic therapy.
• Systemic use in newborns or premature infants unless there is no safer effective alternative and specialist monitoring is available.

During pregnancy, Chloramphenicol should be used only if clearly needed and prescribed by a doctor, especially avoiding unnecessary systemic use near delivery. It can pass into breast milk; breastfeeding mothers should seek medical advice before use, particularly for oral/systemic treatment or when treating premature or newborn infants.

Store as directed on the product label, usually in a cool, dry place away from heat, light, and moisture. Keep the container tightly closed and out of reach of children. Do not use eye or ear products after the recommended period once opened, and discard any expired or contaminated medicine safely.