- What is it for
- How to take
- 1. Oral or injectable use
- 2. Eye use
- 3. Creams and ointments
- Possible side effects
- Who should not use
Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic used to treat various bacterial infections, such as those caused by the microorganisms Haemophilus influenzae , Salmonella tiphi and Bacteroides fragilis .
The effectiveness of this medication is due to its mechanism of action that consists of altering the protein synthesis of bacteria, which end up weakening and being eliminated entirely from the human body.
Chloramphenicol is found in major pharmacies, and is available in presentations in 500mg tablet, 250mg capsule, 500mg pill, 4mg / mL and 5mg / ml eye solution, 1000mg injectable powder, syrup.
What is it for
Chloramphenicol is recommended for the treatment of Haemophilus influenzae infections, such as meningitis, septicemia, otitis, pneumonia, epiglottitis, arthritis or osteomyelitis.
It is also indicated for the treatment of typhoid fever and invasive salmonellosis, brain abscesses by Bacteroides fragilis and other sensitive microorganisms, bacterial meningitis caused by Streptococcus or Meningococcus , in patients allergic to penicillin, infections by pseudomonas pseudomalle i, intra-abdominal infections, actinomycosis, anthrax, brucellosis, inguinal granuloma, treponematosis, plague, sinusitis or chronic suppurative otitis.
How to take
The use of Chloramphenicol is recommended as follows:
1. Oral or injectable use
Usage is usually divided into 4 doses or administrations, every 6 hours. In adults, the dose is 50mg per kg of weight per day, with a maximum recommended dose of 4g per day. However, medical advice should be followed, as some serious infections, such as meningitis, the dose can reach 100mg / kg / day.
In children, the dose of this medication is also 50 mg per kilogram of weight per day, but in premature infants and newborns less than 2 weeks old, the dose is 25 mg per kilogram of weight per day.
It is recommended that the medicine is taken on an empty stomach, 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.
2. Eye use
For the treatment of eye infections, it is recommended to apply 1 or 2 drops of the ophthalmic solution to the affected eye, every 1 or 2 hours, or according to medical advice.
It is recommended not to touch the tip of the bottle to the eyes, fingers or other surfaces, to avoid contamination of the medication.
3. Creams and ointments
Chloramphenicol may be associated with ointments for healing or for the treatment of ulcers infected by germs sensitive to this antibiotic, such as collagenase or fibrinase, for example, and is usually used with each dressing change or once a day. Learn more about using Colagenase.
Possible side effects
The side effects of Chloramphenicol can be: nausea, diarrhea, enterocolitis, vomiting, inflammation of the lips and tongue, changes in the blood, hypersensitivity reactions.
Who should not use
Chloramphenicol is contraindicated in patients hypersensitive to any component of the formula, in women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, patients with a cold, sore throat or flu.
It should also not be used by people with changes in the tissue that produces blood, changes in the number of blood cells and patients with liver or kidney failure
