Tag: Bone marrow suppression

The use of the antibiotic chloramphenicol is severely restricted due to its potential to cause severe and fatal adverse effects. One of the most dangerous conditions it can trigger is aplastic anemia, a rare and often deadly blood disorder.

The risk of fatal aplastic anemia in humans exposed to chloramphenicol is estimated to be approximately 1 in 25,000, underscoring the extreme caution required when handling this potent antibiotic. Therefore, it is critical to understand why you can't touch chloramphenicol or come into contact with it in any form.

According to the National Cancer Institute, nearly all chemotherapy agents can suppress bone marrow, a condition also known as myelosuppression, by targeting and damaging rapidly growing cells in the bone marrow. This critical process can lead to a significant reduction in the production of blood cells, which include red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Beyond chemotherapy, a variety of other medications, medical conditions, and environmental factors can also cause bone marrow suppression.