Generic Chloramphenicol

Common use

Chloramphenicol is one of the first natural anti-microbe medications produced at the end of 40s and since then many bacteria have developed resistance to it. It also causes severe side effects and its usage is limited at present time. It is mostly used to treat meningitis, rickettsial disease, salmonellosis and anaerobic infections. Its mechanism of action is associated with blockage of bacterial protein synthesis in ribosomes, thus its effect is bacteriostatic, but can also be bactericidal in high concentrations for pneumococci, meningococci, and H.influenzae. Chloramphenicolis usually administered for treatment of bacterial infections of eyes (locally) and sometimes does also for treatment of bacterial meningitis, brain abscess, generalized forms of salmonellosis, typhoid fever, rickettsiosis: Ku-fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, typhus, intra-abdominal infections, pelvic infection, gas gangrene, plague as a secondary drug.



Dosage and directions

Do not use this drug if safer, effective medications is available. Take exactly as prescribed do not miss your doses and take them through equal time periods. Avoid recurring treatment with the same medication. Take tablets with a full glass of water. Follow exactly all instructions if you use Chloramphenicolliquid locally.



Precautions

Tell your doctor about all other illnesses and history of allergies (especially to antibiotics) before to take Chloromycetin.



Contraindications

Hypersensitivity, pregnancy, breastfeeding.



Possible side effect

In some rare cases Chloramphenicolmay cause serious, even fatal, blood disorders (for instance, bone marrow hypoplasia, aplastic anemia) so monitoring of blood is needed on a regular basis. Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon leading to different intestinal disorders ranging in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Gray baby syndrome (in neonates) involves hypothermia, cyanosis, flaccidity, and circulatory collapse, is often fatal.



Drug interaction

Chloramphenicolincreases period of excretion and effects of peroral anti-diabetes medications and may show false positive results in glucose tests in patients with diabetes. Co-administration of Chloramphenicolwith erythromycin or lincosamides is not advised. Chloramphenicolis able to diminish effects of medications which contain iron, folic acid and B12 vitamin.

Missed dose

Never take a double dose of this medication. If it is almost time of the next dose just skip the missed portion and continue to take the medicine according to the schedule.



Overdose

Signs of overdose may be: easy bruising or bleeding, persistent sore throat, fever, or unusual fatigue, headache, mild depression, mental confusion, rashes, angioedema. If you suppose that you took too much of this medication contact your doctor for help immediately especially if you have watery and bloody stools (with or without stomach cramps and fever).



Storage

Store at room temperature between 59-77 degrees F (15-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture, kids and pets. If you keep Chloramphenicolin a refrigerator do not freeze it.



Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug integrations, or precautions. Information at the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care advisor or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim all responsibility for the reliability of this information. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.

Clinical Verification

Last Clinically Updated: August 15, 2026

Written By

Dr. Elena Vance, PharmD

Clinical Specialist in Neuropharmacology

Fact Checked By

Marcus Thorne, MS

Biomedical Data & FDA Label Verification

Medically Reviewed By

Dr. Arthur Campbell, MD

Board-Certified Psychiatrist (ABPN)