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Chloramphenicol

Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic medicine.

It's mainly used to treat eye infections (such as conjunctivitis) and sometimes ear infections.

Chloramphenicol comes as eye drops or eye ointment. These are available on prescription or to buy from pharmacies.

It also comes as ear drops. These are on prescription only.

The medicine is also given into a vein (intravenously) or as capsules. This treatment is for serious infections and is nearly always given in hospital.

Who can use chloramphenicol

Chloramphenicol can be used by most adults and children including babies.

The eye drops and eye ointment are available to buy in pharmacies for use in adults and children aged 2 years and over.

For children under 2 years, you'll need a prescription for chloramphenicol from your doctor.

Chloramphenicol is not suitable for everyone. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor if:

  • you have ever had an allergic reaction to chloramphenicol or any other medicine
  • you or anyone in your family has ever had a rare condition called aplastic anaemia (when your bone marrow does not produce blood cells)

Who may not be able to use eye drops or ointment

Before using chloramphenicol, tell you doctor if you're using other eye drops or ointment, or if you normally wear contact lenses.

It's also important to speak to your doctor if you have:

  • any problems with your eyesight, or severe eye pain
  • swollen eyes, and a rash on your face or head
  • a cloudy eye
  • unusual looking pupils – irregular size, dilated (bigger than normal), or not reacting to light
  • had a recent eye injury, or something in your eye
  • recently had conjunctivitis
  • dry eye syndrome (when your eyes do not produce enough tears)
  • glaucoma
  • had eye surgery or laser treatment in the last 6 months

Who may not be able to use ear drops

Before using chloramphenicol ear drops, tell your doctor if you:

  • currently have a perforated (burst) eardrum
  • are allergic to polyethylene glycol (an ingredient used in some medicines and cosmetics, and found in some foods)

Dosage

Chloramphenicol comes in different strengths. How much you use depends on what it's for and whether you're using the eye drops, eye ointment or ear drops.

To use all types of chloramphenicol:

  • always wash your hands before (and after) using chloramphenicol – this prevents you from passing the infection to the other eye or ear
  • remove the cap just before using your medicine and replace it as soon as you've finished
  • do not touch the eye dropper or tube with your fingers
  • make sure the nozzle does not touch your eye or ear, or your skin
  • use a mirror to help you see what you're doing
  • tilt your head back or to the side to put drops in your eyes or ears

When you've finished your treatment, throw away any leftover medicine.

How to use eye drops

If you're using 0.5% chloramphenicol eye drops, put one drop into the affected eye every 2 hours (during waking hours) for the first 2 days. Then every 4 hours for the next 3 days, or as your doctor advises.

Tilt your head back and gently pull down your lower eyelid with a clean finger. Hold the bottle over your eye and allow a single drop to fall into the space between your lower lid and your eye. Close your eye for a few minutes. Wipe away any extra liquid with a clean tissue.

For more severe infections, your doctor may recommend using ointment at bedtime and eye drops during the day. This is because the ointment works better while you sleep. The eye drops allow you to get on with your day as normal, as they do not affect your eyesight.

How to use eye ointment

If you're using 1% chloramphenicol eye ointment, apply it to the affected eye every 3 hours (during waking hours). Do this 3 to 4 times a day, or as your doctor advises.

Gently pull down your lower eyelid with a clean finger and tilt your head back. Hold the tube with the nozzle close to your eye and gently squeeze about 1 centimetre of ointment into the space between your lower lid and your eye. Close your eye for a few minutes.

With more severe infections, your doctor may recommend using eye ointment at bedtime. This is because the ointment sticks to the surface of the eye and eyelid and works while you sleep.

How to use ear drops

If you're using 5% or 10% chloramphenicol ear drops, put 3 or 4 drops into the affected ear 2 to 3 times a day, or as your doctor advises.

Tilt your head and bring the tube up to the affected ear, with the dropper close to your ear hole. Squeeze the drops into your ear.

If you can, lie down for at least 10 minutes afterwards. Turn your head to one side, so your affected ear is towards the ceiling. After this, put some cotton wool in your ear.

How long to use it for

Eye drops

Use the drops for 5 days, even if your eye seems better.

Do not use them for more than 5 days, unless your doctor tells you to. This is because your eyes can become more sensitive or you could get another eye infection.

Eye ointment

Use the ointment until the eye appears normal and for 2 days afterwards. Do not use it for more than 5 days, unless your doctor tells you to.

Ear drops

Use the drops for up to 1 week. Do not use the medicine for longer than this unless your doctor tells you to. This is because your ears can become more sensitive or you could get another ear infection.

If you forget to use it

If you forget to use chloramphenicol drops or ointment, use or apply it as soon as you remember. Then continue to use it at the usual time.

If you often forget to use your chloramphenicol, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to remember your medicines.

If you use too much

Do not worry if a few more drops of chloramphenicol accidentally fall into your eye or ear, or if you apply more of the ointment than you meant to.

  • you or your child swallow chloramphenicol ointment or drops

Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111. If you need advice for a child under the age of 5 years, call 111.

If 111 advise you to go to A&E, do not drive yourself. Get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance.

Take the leaflet that came with your drops or ointment, plus any remaining medicine with you.

Common side effects

These common side effects of chloramphenicol happen in more than 1 in 100 people. There are things you can do to help cope with them:

Serious side effects are rare and happen in less than 1 in 1,000 people.

Call your doctor or contact 111 straight away if you:

  • bruise more easily
  • get infections more easily
  • feel especially tired or weak

These can be signs of aplastic anaemia, a rare condition where your bone marrow fails to produce blood cells normally. This is very unlikely to happen if you're using chloramphenicol eye drops, ointment or ear drops. There's a greater risk of aplastic anaemia when chloramphenicol is given intravenously (directly into a vein).

Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111. If you're calling for a child under 5 years, call 111.

Serious allergic reaction

In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to chloramphenicol.

These are not all the side effects chloramphenicol. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.

Chloramphenicol and pregnancy

Chloramphenicol eye treatments and ear drops can be used in pregnancy. Only tiny amounts are absorbed into the bloodstream and it's not thought that these can harm your baby.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the best treatment for you. This will depend on how bad the infection is and whether there are other medicines that might be more suitable.

If your baby was born well and healthy it is OK to use chloramphenicol eye treatment and ear drops while breastfeeding.

If there is a family history of any sort of blood disorder, including aplastic anaemia, you may be advised not to use chloramphenicol.

It's not yet known how much chloramphenicol passes into breast milk, but it's likely to be a tiny amount for preparations used for the eyes and ears. However, until we know more about chloramphenicol in breastfeeding, other medicines might be recommended.

Wash your hands thoroughly before picking up your baby.

If you notice your baby has a stomach upset, seems unusually unsettled, has a rash, or seems an unusual colour, talk to your health visitor, midwife or doctor as soon as possible.

Chloramphenicol and fertility

There's no evidence to suggest that using chloramphenicol reduces fertility in either men or women.

Cautions with other medicines

There are some medicines that do not mix well with chloramphenicol.

Tell your doctor if you're taking (or have recently taken) any of these medicines before you start using chloramphenicol:

  • medicines for cancer such as cyclophosphamide
  • medicines for the immune system such as azathioprine (prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or if you've had a kidney transplant)

There's not enough information to say that complementary medicines and herbal remedies are safe to take with chloramphenicol. They're not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines. They're generally not tested for the effect they have on other medicines.

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20 public posts

Ear drops for infection safe to use?

Chloramphenicol. I ran a quick search on Google and apparently both comes with risks. I have bilateral tinnitus and I am really worry about any possible undesired side effects. Anyone in this forum with experience in any of these drops?
Chloramphenicol. I ran a quick search on Google and apparently both comes with risks. I have bilateral tinnitus and I am really worry about any possible undesired side effects. Anyone in this forum with experience in any of these drops?
spillthetea profile image
spillthetea
in British Tinnitus Association
5 months ago

Pseudomonas treatment

Has anyone taken chloramphenicol antibiotic for Pseudomonas. The professor I see gave me a course of them & steroids to take with me when I go on holiday to Canada. I have used ciprofloxacin but find I can’t tolerate it anymore.
Has anyone taken chloramphenicol antibiotic for Pseudomonas. The professor I see gave me a course of them & steroids to take with me when I go on holiday to Canada. I have used ciprofloxacin but find I can’t tolerate it anymore.
Lfcpremier profile image
Lfcpremier
in Lung Conditions Community Forum
8 months ago

Bacterial Eye infection/conjunctivitis

I have been using Chloramphenicol ointment for 3 days but it seems to make the pain worse. Also tried eye wipes and holding a flannel soaked with warm water which is good at relieving the irritation for a while.
I have been using Chloramphenicol ointment for 3 days but it seems to make the pain worse. Also tried eye wipes and holding a flannel soaked with warm water which is good at relieving the irritation for a while.
HappyDiamonds profile image
HappyDiamonds
in PMRGCAuk
8 months ago
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Euphrasia

Still battling and rather than resorting to chloramphenicol yet again was be wondering if anyone has used euphrasia?
Still battling and rather than resorting to chloramphenicol yet again was be wondering if anyone has used euphrasia?
Gilliancheche profile image
Gilliancheche
in NRAS
1 year ago

Incubation period of chlamydia and mycoplasma

Moreover, antibiotic such as erythromycin, tetracycline, kanamycin, streptomycin, chloramphenicol, which can act on RNA ribosome are able to inhibit or affect the mycoplasma protein synthesis but can not cure chlamydia completely.
Moreover, antibiotic such as erythromycin, tetracycline, kanamycin, streptomycin, chloramphenicol, which can act on RNA ribosome are able to inhibit or affect the mycoplasma protein synthesis but can not cure chlamydia completely.
Pink101-shelly profile image
Pink101-shelly
in Sensitive Issues for Men
1 year ago

Does chlamydia positive mean that I get HIV?

Rifampicin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, doxycycline, and sulfanilamide are commonly used for treatment.
Rifampicin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, doxycycline, and sulfanilamide are commonly used for treatment.
Pink101-shelly profile image
Pink101-shelly
in Sensitive Issues for Men
2 years ago

Antibiotics and immunosupressant??

Hello, I just managed to get an eye infection and the GP prescribed chloramphenicol eye ointment and flucloxacillin. I already take methotrexate, hydroxichloroquine and prednisolone. She told me to check with the rheumatology nurse to see if I need to stop the immunosuppressant.
Hello, I just managed to get an eye infection and the GP prescribed chloramphenicol eye ointment and flucloxacillin. I already take methotrexate, hydroxichloroquine and prednisolone. She told me to check with the rheumatology nurse to see if I need to stop the immunosuppressant.
Leades profile image
Leades
in NRAS
2 years ago

A few more questions from a new member

Treated myself twice now with Chloramphenicol. Coincidence? Thinking about the symptoms I have been having, is it possible that I could have had a mild version of this for quite some time?
Treated myself twice now with Chloramphenicol. Coincidence? Thinking about the symptoms I have been having, is it possible that I could have had a mild version of this for quite some time?
Sophiestree profile image
Sophiestree
in PMRGCAuk
2 years ago

Dry Eye ?

Hi, I have been diagnosec with "Dry Eye" and I am being treated with "Thealoz Duo" , this soothes my eye but recently I have had very sore swollen eyes which have been diagnosed over the telephone and I have been given "Chloramphenicol Antibiotic" (0.5% w/v) Eye Drops , they do not cause a problem but
Hi, I have been diagnosec with "Dry Eye" and I am being treated with "Thealoz Duo" , this soothes my eye but recently I have had very sore swollen eyes which have been diagnosed over the telephone and I have been given "Chloramphenicol Antibiotic" (0.5% w/v) Eye Drops , they do not cause a problem but
LanzaTenor profile image
LanzaTenor
in EFA
2 years ago

Is this common? Or it's infected?

Hello Guys, I have a worry regarding the healing, it's been 5 weeks now after circumcision, this appeared 2 weeks after circumcision, painful when erecting, not painful when is not erected, i have been using chloramphenicol gel, and always dressing it, but no changes, first of all is it an infection
Hello Guys, I have a worry regarding the healing, it's been 5 weeks now after circumcision, this appeared 2 weeks after circumcision, painful when erecting, not painful when is not erected, i have been using chloramphenicol gel, and always dressing it, but no changes, first of all is it an infection
OGparker profile image
OGparker
in Men's Health Forum (Penis Health)
3 years ago

Pseudomonas..

Find oral antibiotics difficult to tolerate but Consultant has recommended chloramphenicol. Anyone tried this? If I try ciprofloxacin instead what dose would I need to try & eradicate it? Thank you!
Find oral antibiotics difficult to tolerate but Consultant has recommended chloramphenicol. Anyone tried this? If I try ciprofloxacin instead what dose would I need to try & eradicate it? Thank you!
Lfcpremier profile image
Lfcpremier
in Lung Conditions Community Forum
3 years ago

Chloramphenicol reaction

Hi has anyone has a reaction to chloramphenicol, have just been in so much pain after having it, and feeling so poorly managed to wash it out by a saline nasal spray.
Hi has anyone has a reaction to chloramphenicol, have just been in so much pain after having it, and feeling so poorly managed to wash it out by a saline nasal spray.
MacularAnn profile image
MacularAnn
in Macular Society
5 years ago

Day 3

doesnt really hurt much just burn abit but it doesnt bother me. its hard to sleep at night cuz its really uncomfortable tho. soo i wake up like every 1 hour. i got my bandages off yesterday and started to washing the place 2 times a day with soup its fine and doesnt hurt. after i was the place i put chloramphenicol
doesnt really hurt much just burn abit but it doesnt bother me. its hard to sleep at night cuz its really uncomfortable tho. soo i wake up like every 1 hour. i got my bandages off yesterday and started to washing the place 2 times a day with soup its fine and doesnt hurt. after i was the place i put chloramphenicol
Hidden profile image
Hidden
in Men's Health Forum
5 years ago

Chloramphenicol

My question is that recently I have had x2 courses of chloramphenicol for eye infections and have noticed a return of neurological symptoms to my hands and feet. I also am feeling run down and fatigued. I was wondering how long it would take to get back to normal.
My question is that recently I have had x2 courses of chloramphenicol for eye infections and have noticed a return of neurological symptoms to my hands and feet. I also am feeling run down and fatigued. I was wondering how long it would take to get back to normal.
Rebecca85 profile image
Rebecca85
in Pernicious Anaemia Society
5 years ago

Still struggling chloramphenicol?.

I have now been given the antibiotics chloramphenicol which I have never had or seen before anyone else on here had them. Thanks carol
I have now been given the antibiotics chloramphenicol which I have never had or seen before anyone else on here had them. Thanks carol
carolg1 profile image
carolg1
in Lung Conditions Community Forum
5 years ago

Drugs to Avoid with CMT

Gemcitabine Griseofulvin Hexamethylmelamine Hydralazine Ifosphamide Infliximab Isoniazid Mefloquine Penicillamine Penicillin — high IV doses Phenytoin Podophyllin resin Sertraline (Zoloft) Statins Tumor necrosis factor-a Zimeldine* a-Interferon Negligible or doubtful risk Allopurinol Amitriptyline Chloramphenicol
Gemcitabine Griseofulvin Hexamethylmelamine Hydralazine Ifosphamide Infliximab Isoniazid Mefloquine Penicillamine Penicillin — high IV doses Phenytoin Podophyllin resin Sertraline (Zoloft) Statins Tumor necrosis factor-a Zimeldine* a-Interferon Negligible or doubtful risk Allopurinol Amitriptyline Chloramphenicol
Hidden profile image
Hidden
in Charcot-Marie-Tooth UK
5 years ago

Hydroxocobalamin and Chloramphenicol

Then for his discharge a list of medications he was being provided with was read, beginning with Chloramphenicol. He has Pernicious Anemia and gets 3 monthly injections.
Then for his discharge a list of medications he was being provided with was read, beginning with Chloramphenicol. He has Pernicious Anemia and gets 3 monthly injections.
Hidden profile image
Hidden
in Pernicious Anaemia Society
5 years ago

repost marijuana drug interaction article

Chloramphenicol, cimetidine, clopidogrel, delavirdine, efavirenz, esomeprazole, felbamate, fluconazole, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, isoniazid, modafinil, omeprazole, oxcarbazepine, ticlopidine, voriconazole. Other Potential Drug Interactions With Marijuana Central nervous system (CNS) depressants.
Chloramphenicol, cimetidine, clopidogrel, delavirdine, efavirenz, esomeprazole, felbamate, fluconazole, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, isoniazid, modafinil, omeprazole, oxcarbazepine, ticlopidine, voriconazole. Other Potential Drug Interactions With Marijuana Central nervous system (CNS) depressants.
erash profile image
erash
in My MSAA Community
6 years ago

Getting really annoyed with my gp

"Chloramphenicol enters the foetal circulation, and if given to the mother shortly before parturition, may cause the gray baby syndrome, with cyanosis and hypothermia, owing to the limited glucoronidating capacity of the newborn infant's liver.
"Chloramphenicol enters the foetal circulation, and if given to the mother shortly before parturition, may cause the gray baby syndrome, with cyanosis and hypothermia, owing to the limited glucoronidating capacity of the newborn infant's liver.
Neska profile image
Neska
in NCT
10 years ago

I have an eye infection and have been prescribed Chloramphenicol drops .I take MTX is this mix O.K for me ??

JAC22 profile image
JAC22
in NRAS
11 years ago
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