Tag: Chloramphenicol

Chloramphenicol, sometimes known as Phenicol, is an antibiotic with a significant risk of severe adverse effects, with fatal aplastic anemia estimated to occur in up to 1 in 24,500 treatment courses. Therefore, it is critical to understand what are the side effects of Phenicol and why its use is strictly limited to serious, life-threatening infections when safer alternatives are not available or effective.

Originally isolated from the soil bacterium *Streptomyces venezuelae* in the 1940s, Phenicol capsules, which contain the active ingredient chloramphenicol, are a potent, broad-spectrum antibiotic reserved for serious, life-threatening bacterial infections where safer alternatives are ineffective or contraindicated. Its use has become highly restricted due to the potential for severe side effects.

Originally discovered in 1947, Chloramphenicol is a broad-spectrum antibiotic [1.2.5]. When asking 'what condition is chloramphenicol ointment prescribed for?', the primary answer is acute bacterial conjunctivitis and other surface-level bacterial eye infections [1.2.3, 1.2.6].

Phenicols are a class of broad-spectrum antibiotics that inhibit bacterial protein synthesis by interfering with the 50S ribosomal subunit. The therapeutic and safety profiles for the various members of this class, such as chloramphenicol and florfenicol, differ significantly, dictating their specific applications in human and veterinary medicine.

According to numerous clinical guidelines, chloramphenicol eye ointment is commonly used for bacterial eye infections. The frequency and duration of application can vary based on the infection's severity and whether it is used in combination with eye drops. Following your doctor's or pharmacist's specific instructions is crucial for optimal results and to prevent recurrence.

First isolated from the bacterium *Streptomyces venezuelae* in 1947, chloramphenicol was the first synthetic broad-spectrum antibiotic ever produced in bulk [1.11.1, 1.11.2, 1.11.3]. So, how does chloramphenicol work simple? It functions by halting the production of essential proteins that bacteria need to grow and multiply [1.5.3].

Gray baby syndrome is a type of circulatory collapse that can occur in premature and newborn infants associated with excessively high serum levels of chloramphenicol [1.2.1]. So, can chloramphenicol cause Gray's syndrome? Yes, it is a well-documented and life-threatening adverse reaction.

Once hailed as a broad-spectrum antibiotic powerhouse in the late 1940s, chloramphenicol's widespread use was dramatically curtailed following the discovery of its severe, and often fatal, side effects. This led to stringent regulations and outright bans in many countries, shifting its status from a frontline treatment to a last-resort medication for life-threatening infections.

According to the NHS, if you usually wear contact lenses, you must not wear them while using chloramphenicol eyedrops or ointment. There are several crucial medical and practical reasons why wearing contacts during chloramphenicol treatment is strictly forbidden, as it can worsen the underlying eye condition, compromise the medication's effectiveness, and damage your lenses.

While most commonly known for eye infections, some health providers do prescribe chloramphenicol for skin application, particularly on surgical wounds. This practice often falls under "unlicensed use," meaning its safety and efficacy for skin haven't been fully established through the same processes as its primary indications. This raises the important question: Can you put chloramphenicol on skin?