CHLORAMPHENICOL

Brand & Generic Names

Chloromycetin
Novochlorocap

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Antibiotic

Uses

Treatment of infections susceptible to chloramphenicol.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Suspension or capsule--Swallow with liquid.
Eye or ear solution or cream--Follow label instructions.

When to take:
Capsule or suspension--1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Prevents bacteria from growing and reproducing. Will not kill viruses.

Time lapse before drug works:
2 to 5 days, depending on type and severity of infection.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.

WHAT TO DO:

Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person takes much larger amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center or hospital emergency room for instructions.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

Hives, rash, intense Seek emergency itching, faintness treatment immediately. soon after a dose (anaphylaxis).

Common:

None expected.

Infrequent:

• Swollen face or extremities; diarrhea; nausea; vomiting; numbness, tingling, burning pain or weakness in hands and feet, pale skin, unusual bleeding or bruising.
• Headache, confusion.

Rare:

• Pain, blurred vision, possible vision loss, delirium, rash, sore throat, fever, jaundice, anemia.
• In babies: Bloated stomach, uneven breathing, drowsiness, low temperature, gray skin.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to chloramphenicol.
• It is prescribed for a minor disorder such as flu, cold or mild sore throat.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have had a blood disorder or bone-marrow disease.
• If you have had kidney or liver disease.
• If you have diabetes.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons, particularly skin irritation around rectum.

Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
Don't give to infants younger than 2.

Prolonged use:

• You may become more susceptible to infections caused by germs not responsive to chloramphenicol.
• Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check complete blood counts (white blood cell count, platelet count, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit), chloramphenicol serum levels.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without doctor's advice until you complete prescribed dose, even though symptoms diminish or disappear.

Others:

• Chloramphenicol can cause serious anemia. Frequent laboratory blood studies, liver and kidney tests recommended.
• Second medical opinion recommended before starting.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Anticoagulants*	Increased anticoagulant effect.
Antidiabetics*,	Increased antidiabetic
oral	effect.
Anticonvulsants*	Increased chance of toxicity to
	bone marrow.
Cefiximine	Decreased antibiotic effect of
	cefiximine.
Cephalosporins*	Decreased chloramphenicol effect.
Clindamycin	Decreased clindamycin effect.
Clozapine	Toxic effect on bone marrow.
Cyclophosphamide	Increased cyclophosphamide effect.
Didanosine	Increased risk of peripheral
	neuropathy.
Erythromycins	Decreased erythromycin effect.
Flecainide	Possible decreased blood-cell
	production in bone marrow.
Levamisole	Increased risk of bone marrow
	depression.
Lincomycin	Decreased lincomycin effect.
Lisinopril	Possible blood disorders.
Penicillins*	Decreased penicillin effect.
Phenobarbital	Increased phenobarbital effect.
Phenytoin	Increased phenytoin effect.
Rifampin	Decreased chloramphenicol effect.
Thioguanine	More likelihood of toxicity of both
	drugs.
Tiopronin	Increased risk of toxicity to bone
	marrow.
Tocainide	Possible decreased blood-cell
	production in bone marrow.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Possible liver problems. May cause
	disulfiram reaction*.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	No proven problems.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	None expected.
Tobacco:	None expected.