Chloramphenicol

Chloramphenicol is the medicine having antibacterial properties. It is intended for treatment of various infectious diseases. Chloramphenicol is widely used in pediatric practice and in ophthalmology.

Pharmacological action

Chloramphenicol represents antibacterial drug of a broad spectrum of activity. It effectively influences various gram-negative and gram-positive microorganisms including on causative agents of a purulent infection, dysentery, typhoid, meningococcal infection. In therapeutic concentration drug has bacteriostatic action.

According to the instruction Chloramphenicol is applied to treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases which causative agents are spirochetes, brucellas, rickettsiae, chlamydias and hemophilic bacteria. Concerning acid resisting bacteria, protozoa, clostridiums, a pyocyanic stick Chloramphenicol is poorly active.

This medicine resistance of microorganisms develops rather slowly. Against the background of treatment by Chloramphenicol cross other antibacterial agents resistance usually does not develop.

According to the instruction Chloramphenicol at intake is well and quickly soaked up. It well gets into cerebrospinal fluid and breast milk.

At use in ophthalmology of eye drops of Chloramphenicol therapeutic concentration of drug in a cornea, an iris of the eye and in a vitreous is created. However in a crystalline lens medicine does not get.

Form of production of Chloramphenicol

This drug is produced in the form of the tablets containing 0,25 and 0,5 g of active agent.

For topical administration in ophthalmologic practice Chloramphenicol is used in the form of eye drops with the content of active agent in 1 ml – 2,5 mg (0,25%).

Chloramphenicol for injections is produced in the form of the powder packed into sterile bottles on 0,5 and 1,0 g.

Chloramphenicol synonyms

This drug is produced also under other trade names: Levomycetinum, Laevovinisolum. Synthomycin, etc. Synonyms of Chloramphenicol have just the same indications and contraindications to use, as well as Chloramphenicol.

Indications to use

Chloramphenicol is applied to treatment:

• Generalized forms of a salmonellosis;

• Paratifov;

• Tularemias;

• Rikketsiozov;

• Brucellosis;

• Typhoid;

• Hlamidiozov;

• Meningitis.

According to the instruction Chloramphenicol can be used also for treatment of other infectious diseases provided that they are caused by microorganisms, sensitive to it. It can be used also at inefficiency of other antibacterial agents, and also if their use at the specific patient is impossible because of individual hypersensitivity.

In ophthalmology Chloramphenicol is applied to treatment:

• Conjunctivitis;

• Blepharitis;

• Keratitis.

Contraindications

• Individual intolerance;

• Some skin diseases (fungal infections, psoriasis, eczema);

• Hemopoiesis function oppression.

According to the instruction Chloramphenicol is contraindicated to pregnant women, nursing mothers. It is not necessary to use this drug for treatment of newborn children since it can cause development of the "gray syndrome" which is shown nausea, a meteorism, a hypothermia, gray-blue skin color because of the progressing cyanosis, disturbances of breath and symptoms of cardiovascular insufficiency in them.

Chloramphenicol: application instruction

Drug is taken inside for half an hour to food. The adult usually appoints about 0,25 – 0,5 g to reception each six hours. For treatment of very heavy infections Chloramphenicol is appointed four times a day on one gram. In this case it is necessary to control carefully functions of kidneys, a liver and a hemopoiesis.

The Chloramphenicol dosage for children is calculated proceeding from age of the child and his body weight.

Duration of a course of therapy by Chloramphenicol makes 7-10 days. In need of and on condition of good tolerance of drug the course can be prolonged by the patient up to 14 days.

In ophthalmology eye drops with Chloramphenicol apply to instillations, digging in in a conjunctival sac two drops from 3 to 5 times a day. Treatment is carried out during one – two weeks.

Side effects

Use of Chloramphenicol can lead to development of various side effects:

• Reticulocytopenia;

• Leukopenia;

• Thrombocytopenia;

• Anemia;

• Allergic reactions;

• Decrease in visual acuity and hearing;

• Confusion of consciousness;

• Psychomotor excitement;

• Visual and auditory hallucinations;

• Dispepsichesky phenomena.

Emergence of side reactions demands drug withdrawal. Synonyms of Chloramphenicol have similar side effects.

Special instructions

Chloramphenicol should not be used for treatment of the acute respiratory diseases, quinsies and any infectious processes proceeding benign. Also you should not use this medicine with the preventive purpose.

Carefully patients who received radiation therapy or treatment by cytostatic drugs earlier should appoint Chloramphenicol.

Against the background of treatment by Chloramphenicol reception of alcoholic beverages since it can lead to development of disulfiramopodobny reaction (nausea, vomiting, a hyperemia of integuments, reflex cough, tachycardia, a convulsive syndrome) is inadmissible.

In the course of treatment by Chloramphenicol it is necessary to control a pattern of peripheral blood regularly.

It is not necessary to use at the same time Chloramphenicol with cytostatic drugs, anticoagulants of indirect action and barbiturates.

Chloramphenicol storage conditions

Chloramphenicol is released from drugstores without recipe of the doctor. A period of storage of tablets – three years, powder for preparation of solution for injections – four years, eye drops – it is possible to store two years, however the opened bottle no more than a month.