CHLORAMPHENICOL

The recommended dosage for adults, children and infants of all age groups is a small amount of ointment to be applied to the affected eye every three hours or more frequently if required. Treatment should be continued for at least 48 hours after eye appears normal.

Paediatric population Dosage adjustment may be necessary in newborn infants because of reduced systemic elimination due to immature metabolism and the risk of dose-related adverse effects. The maximum duration of treatment is 10-14 days.

Transient burning or stinging sensations may occur. 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 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 infections the topical use of chloramphenicol should be supplemented by appropriate systemic treatment. The prolonged use of antibiotics may occasionally result in overgrowth of non susceptable organisms, including fungi. If any new infection appears during the 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. Contact lenses should be removed during treatment. Chloramphenicol does not provide adequate coverage against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens.

It is recommended that all types of contact lenses are avoided during ocular infections. Chloramphenicol eye ointment may smear over the surface of contact lenses.

1. Patients who have experienced myelosuppression during previous exposure to chloramphenicol. Patients with a family history of blood dyscrasias.