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CHLORAMPHENICOL is a brand name for Chloramphenicol. The medicine, its uses, side effects and dosage are the same regardless of brand.
Used for: Treatment of acute bacterial conjunctivitis in adults and children aged 2 years and over.
Verbatim from this product's MHRA label. Tap a section to expand.
Posology Adults (including elderly people) and children aged 2 years and over:
If using just the eye ointment, apply about 1 cm of ointment to the affected eye(s) 3 to 4 times a day. If using chloramphenicol eye drops during the day and the eye ointment at night - apply the ointment at night, before going to bed.
The course of treatment is 5 days. Method of administration For topical ocular use. The ointment is applied into the space between the lower eyelid and the eye.
Transient burning or stinging sensations may occur with the use of Chloramphenicol Antibiotic Eye Ointment. More serious side effects include bone marrow depression and rarely aplastic anaemia, angioneurotic oedema, anaphylaxis, urticaria, fever, vesicular and maculopapular dermatitis have been reported and are causes for discontinuation.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store
Chloramphenicol is absorbed systemically from the eye and toxicity has been reported following chronic exposure. Bone marrow hypoplasia, including aplastic anaemia and death, has been reported following topical use of chloramphenicol.
Whilst the hazard is a rare one, it should be borne in mind when assessing the benefits expected from the use of the compound. Where Chloramphenicol antibiotic eye ointment is used on a long-term or intermittent basis, it may be advisable to perform a routine blood profile before therapy and at appropriate intervals thereafter to detect haemopoietic abnormalities.
In severe bacterial conjunctivitis and in cases where infection is not confined to the conjunctivae, the topical use of chloramphenicol should be supplemented by appropriate systemic treatment. Therefore, the patient should be referred to seek medical advice.
The use of topical chloramphenicol may occasionally result in overgrowth of non- susceptible organisms including fungi. If any new infection appears during treatment, the patient should be referred to the doctor. . Prolonged use of chloramphenicol eye drops is not advisable, as it may increase the likelihood of sensitisation and emergence of resistant organisms.
If any new infection appears during treatment, the antibiotic should be discontinued and appropriate measures taken. Chloramphenicol should be reserved for use only for infections for which it is specifically indicated. Chloramphenicol does not provide adequate coverage against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens.
Chloramphenicol eye ointment should not be used for more than 5 days at a time except on the advice of a doctor. Medical advice should be sought if there is no improvement in the condition after 2 days or if symptoms worsen at any time.
The label will state: • Do not use this ointment if you are allergic to chloramphenicol or anything else in the ointment. • If you do not get better within 48 hours talk to a doctor. • If your eyes get worse see a doctor straight away.
1. Patients who have experienced myelosuppression during previous exposure to chloramphenicol. Family or personal history of blood dyscrasias including aplastic anaemia.
Not medical advice. Always read the patient information leaflet and follow your prescriber or pharmacist.
Other brands of Chloramphenicol in United Kingdom.
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• After 5 days, throw away any ointment left. For external use only Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children. Chloramphenicol eye ointment should not be recommended under the following circumstances (in these circumstances patients should be referred to their doctor): • Severe pain within the eye • Disturbed vision • Photophobia • Eye inflammation associated with a rash on the scalp or face • The pupil looks unusual • The eye looks cloudy • Suspected foreign body in the eye.
Patients should also be referred to their doctor if any of the following in his/her medical history apply: • Associated pain or swelling around the eye or face • The patient has had conjunctivitis previously in the recent past • The patient has glaucoma • The patient has dry eye syndrome • The patient has an eye injury • The patient is already using other eye ointments or eye drops • The patient has had eye surgery or laser treatment in the last 6 months If you wear contact lenses, seek advice either from your contact lens practitioner (optician, optometrist) or doctor before you use this product.
You should not wear your contact lenses during the course of treatment. If you wear soft contact lenses do not start wearing them for at least 24 hours after you have finished the eye ointment.