Chloramphenicol

Chloramphenicol
- Is a man-made antibiotic that slows growth of bacteria by preventing
from producing important proteins that they need to survive.

- It is effective against S. typhi, H. influenza, E. coli, Neisseria species,

Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus species.

Preparations:
- 0.5% eye drops and 1% eye ointment (conjunctivitis)
- 1 gram/10 ml per vial powder for IV (meningitis, cholera, typhoid fever)
Chloramphenicol
Causes serious and fatal aplastic anemia and is now used
rarely and reserved for severe, life threatening infections for
which other antibiotics are not available. It has been linked
to cases of acute, clinically apparent liver injury with
jaundice, largely in association with aplastic anemia.
Mechanism of Action
Chloramphenicol is lipid-soluble, allowing it to diffuse
through the bacterial cell membrane.
It then reversibly binds to the 50s subunit of bacterial
ribosomes, where transfer of amino acids to growing
peptide chains is prevented (by suppression of peptidyl
transferase activity), thus inhibiting peptide bond formation
and subsequent protein synthesis.
Generic Name: Chloramphenicol
Brand names: Pentamycetin
Chloromyecetin Sodium Succinate
Chloromyecetin Ophthalmic
Chloromyecetin Otic
Special considerations:
1. Use drug only when clearly indicated for severe infections.
Because of risk of severe toxicity, it should be reserved for life-
threatening infections.
2. Obtain CBC, platelet count, reticulocyte count, and serum iron
level before therapy begins and every 2 days during therapy. Stop
drug immediately if results indicate anemia, reticulocytopenia,
leukopenia, or thrombocytopenia.
3. Refrigerate ophthalmic solution 20 C to 25 C.
4. Administer IV infusion slowly for at least 1 minute. Check injection
site daily for phlebitis and irritation.
Thank you! Have grateful day!