$Unique_ID{BRK01875}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{CHLORAMPHENICOL (SYSTEMIC)}
$Subject{chloramphenicol (various manufacturers)
Chloromycetin Kapseals (Parke-Davis)}
$Volume{}
$Log{}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


CHLORAMPHENICOL (SYSTEMIC)
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BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     chloramphenicol (various manufacturers)
     Chloromycetin Kapseals (Parke-Davis)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Antibiotic
INGREDIENT:
     chloramphenicol
DOSAGE FORMS:
     Capsules (250 mg and 500 mg)
     Oral suspension (150 mg per 5-ml spoonful)
STORAGE:
     Chloramphenicol capsules and oral suspension should be stored at room
       temperature in tightly closed, light-resistant containers.  This
       medication should never be frozen.

USES

     This medication is an antibiotic that is used to treat a wide variety of
bacterial infections.  It attaches to the bacteria and blocks their production
of protein, thereby preventing their growth and multiplication.
Chloramphenicol kills susceptible bacteria, but it is not effective against
viruses, parasites, or fungi.

TREATMENT

     Chloramphenicol is most effective if it is taken on an empty stomach one
hour before or two hours after a meal.
     The suspension form of this medication should be shaken well just before
measuring each dose.  The contents tend to settle on the bottom of the bottle,
so it is necessary to shake the container to distribute the ingredients evenly
and equalize the doses.  Each dose should then be measured carefully with a
specially designed 5-ml measuring spoon.  An ordinary kitchen teaspoon is not
accurate enough.
     Chloramphenicol works best when the level of medicine in your bloodstream
is kept constant.  It is best, therefore, to take the doses at evenly spaced
intervals day and night.  For example, if you are to take four doses a day,
the doses should be spaced six hours apart.
     Try not to miss any doses of this medication.  If you do miss a dose,
take it as soon as you remember.  However, if you do not remember to take the
missed dose until it is almost time for your next dose, take the missed dose
immediately; space the following dose about halfway through the regular
interval between doses; then continue with your regular dosing schedule.
     It is important to continue to take this medication for the entire time
prescribed by your doctor (usually seven to 14 days), even if the symptoms
disappear before the end of that period.  If you stop taking the drug too
soon, resistant bacteria are given a chance to continue growing, and the
infection could recur.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Diarrhea, headache, nausea, or vomiting.  These side effects should
disappear as your body adjusts to the medication.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
confusion, depression, fever, itching, mouth sores, skin rash, sore throat,
sores on the tongue, tingling sensations, unusual bleeding or bruising, or
unusual weakness.  Also, if the symptoms of your infection seem to be getting
worse rather than improving, you should contact your doctor.

INTERACTIONS

     Chloramphenicol interacts with several other drugs:
     1. It can increase the blood levels of dicumarol, phenytoin,
phenobarbital, tolbutamide, and chlorpropamide, thereby leading to an increase
in side effects.
     2. Chloramphenicol can reduce the effectiveness of iron, vitamin B, and
cyclophosphamide.
     3. The blood levels and side effects of chloramphenicol may be increased
by acetaminophen and penicillin.
     4. Concurrent use of chloramphenicol and antineoplastic drugs (anticancer
medicines), colchicine, gold, oxyphenbutazone, penicillamine, or
phenylbutazone can lead to an increase in side effects, especially to the bone
marrow.
     BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are
currently taking, especially any of those listed above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any drugs, especially to chloramphenicol.  Before starting to take this
medication, tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had kidney
disease, liver disease, or porphyria.
     * Diabetic patients should know that chloramphenicol can cause
false-positive readings with the Clinitest urine glucose test.  Temporarily
switching to Clinistix or Tes-Tape to monitor urine glucose levels avoids this
problem.
     * Chloramphenicol has been prescribed for your current infection only.
Another infection later on, or one that someone else has, may require a
different medicine.  You should not give your medication to other people or
use it for other infections, unless your doctor specifically directs you to do
so.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  Chloramphenicol
crosses the placenta.  Although it appears to be safe during the early stages
of pregnancy, chloramphenicol can cause serious side effects in a newborn
infant if it is given to the mother late in pregnancy.  Also, tell your doctor
if you are breast-feeding an infant.  Small amounts of chloramphenicol pass
into breast milk and can cause serious side effects in nursing infants.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
