Chloramphenicol capsules

What are chloramphenicol capsules?

CHLORAMPHENICOL (Chloromycetin®) is an antibiotic or antiinfective. It treats certain types of brain, lung, blood, or other serious infection. Generic chloramphenicol capsules are available.

What should my health care professional know before I take chloramphenicol?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• anemia or other blood disorders

• dental problems

• glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency

• liver disease

• kidney disease

• other chronic illness

• porphyria

• an unusual or allergic reaction to chloramphenicol, other antibiotics or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?

Chloramphenicol capsules are taken by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take at regular intervals through the day and night (every 6 hours around the clock). Take the capsules with a full glass of water. Take 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating; taking it with food can make it less effective. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Finish the full course of medicine prescribed by your prescriber or health care professional even if you feel better. Do not stop using except on your prescriber's advice.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with chloramphenicol?

• antibiotics

• B vitamins

• chlorpropamide

• doxercalciferol

• entacapone

• iron

• oral contraceptives (birth control pills)

• paricalcitol

• phenobarbital

• phenytoin

• ramelteon

• rifampin

• tolbutamide

• warfarin

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking chloramphenicol?

Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms have not improved in a few days.

If you are taking this medicine for a long time you must visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular blood checks.

Chloramphenicol can cause blood problems. This can mean slow healing and a risk of infection. Problems can arise if you need dental work, or in the day to day care of your teeth. Try to avoid damage to your teeth and gums when you brush or floss your teeth.

If you are diabetic you may get a false-positive result for sugar in your urine. Check with your prescriber or health care professional before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetic medicine.

What side effects may I notice from taking chloramphenicol?

Serious side effects include:

• unusual bleeding or bruising

• fever or chills, sore throat

• mouth sores

• unusual weakness or tiredness

• skin rash, itching

• confusion

• blurred vision

• gray syndrome (blue-gray skin color, low body temperature, uneven breathing, bloated stomach)

Call your prescriber or health care professional as soon as you can if you notice any of these side effects.

Children up to the age of 2 can develop "gray-baby" syndrome. Symptoms include refusal to eat, swollen stomach, paleness and a blue or gray skin color, limpness, and difficulty breathing. Death can result in just a few hours. If any of these symptoms occur, STOP GIVING THE MEDICATION AND SEEK MEDICAL HELP IMMEDIATELY.

Minor side effects include:

• headache

• nausea, vomiting

• diarrhea

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature below 30 degrees C (86 degrees F). Protect from moisture. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Chloramphenicol ear solution

What is chloramphenicol ear solution?

CHLORAMPHENICOL (Chloromycetin®) is an antibiotic or antiinfective. It treats superficial ear infections in the external ear canal. Generic chloramphenicol ear solution is available.

What should my health care professional know before I use chloramphenicol?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• perforated eardrum

• an unusual or allergic reaction to chloramphenicol, other antibiotics or preservatives

How should I use this medicine?

Chloramphenicol ear solution is only for use in the ear. Wash hands before and after use. Lie down or tilt your head to one side. Gently pull the ear up and back (adults) or down and back (children) to open up the ear canal. Try not to touch the tip of the dropper to your ear, fingertips, or other surface. Squeeze the bottle gently to put the prescribed number of drops in the ear canal. Keep ear up for about 5 minutes to make sure the drops stay in the ear. To stop the medicine from leaking out, put a sterile cotton ball, moistened with a few drops of the ear solution in the ear opening. Wipe the dropper tip with a clean tissue or cloth and return the top. Do not use your medicine more often than directed. Finish the full course of medicine prescribed by your prescriber or health care professional even if you think your condition is better. Do not stop using except on your prescriber's advice.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with chloramphenicol?

Do not use other ear products with chloramphenicol without consulting your prescriber or health care professional.

What should I watch for while taking chloramphenicol?

Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your ear infection does not get better in a few days.

To prevent the spread of infection, do not share ear products, or share towels and washcloths with anyone else. Throw away any unused ear solution.

What side effects may I notice from using chloramphenicol?

Serious side effects include:

• burning, redness and itching (this may indicate an allergic reaction or an infection that will not respond to chloramphenicol)

Other serious side effects are unlikely from ear products but include:

• unusual bleeding or bruising

• fever or chills, sore throat

• mouth sores

• unusual weakness or tiredness

• skin rash, itching

• confusion

• blurred vision (which does not go away)

• gray syndrome (blue-gray skin color, low body temperature, uneven breathing, bloated stomach)

Call your prescriber or health care professional as soon as you can if you notice any of these side effects.

Children up to the age of 2 can develop "gray-baby" syndrome. Symptoms include refusal to eat, swollen stomach, paleness and a blue or gray skin color, limpness, and difficulty breathing. Death can result in just a few hours. If any of these symptoms occur, STOP GIVING THE MEDICATION AND SEEK MEDICAL HELP IMMEDIATELY.

Minor side effects include:

• headache

• nausea, vomiting

• diarrhea

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at below 30 degrees C (86 degrees F). Follow manufacturers advice. Some products are stored in a refrigerator between 2 and 8 degrees C (36 and 46 degrees F); do not freeze. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Chloramphenicol eye ointment or solution

What is chloramphenicol eye ointment or solution?

CHLORAMPHENICOL (Chloromycetin®) is an antibiotic or antiinfective. It treats superficial eye infections of the conjunctiva or cornea. Generic chloramphenicol eye ointment and solution are available.

What should my health care professional know before I use chloramphenicol?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• an unusual or allergic reaction to chloramphenicol, other antibiotics or preservatives

How should I use this medicine?

Chloramphenicol eye ointment or solution are only for use in the eye. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Wash hands before and after use. Tilt your head back slightly and pull your lower eyelid down with your index finger to form a pouch. Try not to touch the tip of the dropper or tube to your eye, fingertips, or other surface. Squeeze the prescribed number of drops into the pouch; or, if using the ointment, squeeze the end of the ointment tube to apply a thin layer of the ointment to the inside of the eyelid. Close the eye gently to spread the drops or ointment. Do not use your medicine more often than directed. Finish the full course of medicine prescribed by your prescriber or health care professional even if think your condition is better. Do not stop using except on your prescriber's advice.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with chloramphenicol?

Do not use other eye products with chloramphenicol without consulting your prescriber or health care professional.

What should I watch for while taking chloramphenicol?

Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your eye infection does not get better within a week.

A burning or stinging reaction that does not go away may mean you are allergic to this product. Stop using and call your prescriber or health care professional.

To prevent the spread of infection, do not share eye products, or share towels and washcloths with anyone else. Throw away any unused eye ointment or solution.

What side effects may I notice from using chloramphenicol?

Serious side effects include:

• swollen or burning eyelids

Other serious side effects are unlikely from eye products but include:

• unusual bleeding or bruising

• fever or chills, sore throat

• mouth sores

• unusual weakness or tiredness

• skin rash, itching

• confusion

• blurred vision (which does not go away)

• gray syndrome (blue-gray skin color, low body temperature, uneven breathing, bloated stomach)

Call your prescriber or health care professional as soon as you can if you notice any of these side effects.

Children up to the age of 2 can develop "gray-baby" syndrome. Symptoms include refusal to eat, swollen stomach, paleness and a blue or gray skin color, limpness, and difficulty breathing. Death can result in just a few hours. If any of these symptoms occur, STOP GIVING THE MEDICATION AND SEEK MEDICAL HELP IMMEDIATELY.

Minor side effects include:

• headache

• nausea, vomiting

• diarrhea

• blurred vision (which is only temporary after using the eye product)

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store below 30 degrees C (86 degrees F). Follow manufacturers advice. Some products are stored in a refrigerator between 2 and 8 degrees C (36 and 46 degrees F); do not freeze. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Chloramphenicol injection

What is chloramphenicol injection?

CHLORAMPHENICOL (Chloromycetin®) is an antibiotic or antiinfective. It treats certain types of brain, lung, blood, or other serious infection. Generic chloramphenicol injections are available.

What should my health care professional know before I receive chloramphenicol?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• anemia or other blood disorders

• dental problems

• glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency

• liver disease

• kidney disease

• other chronic illness

• porphyria

• an unusual or allergic reaction to chloramphenicol, other antibiotics or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Chloramphenicol is for injection into a vein.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with chloramphenicol?

• antibiotics

• B vitamins

• chlorpropamide

• doxercalciferol

• entacapone

• iron

• oral contraceptives (birth control pills)

• paricalcitol

• phenobarbital

• phenytoin

• ramelteon

• rifampin

• tolbutamide

• warfarin

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking chloramphenicol?

Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms have not improved in a few days.

If you are using this medicine for a long time you must visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular blood checks.

Chloramphenicol can cause blood problems. This can mean slow healing and a risk of infection. Problems can arise if you need dental work, or in the day to day care of your teeth. Try to avoid damage to your teeth and gums when you brush or floss your teeth.

If you are diabetic you may get a false-positive result for sugar in your urine. Check with your prescriber or health care professional before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetic medicine.

What side effects may I notice from receiving chloramphenicol?

Serious side effects include:

• unusual bleeding or bruising

• fever or chills, sore throat

• mouth sores

• unusual weakness or tiredness

• skin rash, itching

• confusion

• blurred vision

• gray syndrome (blue-gray skin color, low body temperature, uneven breathing, bloated stomach)

Call your prescriber or health care professional as soon as you can if you notice any of these side effects.

Children up to the age of 2 can develop "gray-baby" syndrome. Symptoms include refusal to eat, swollen stomach, paleness and a blue or gray skin color, limpness, and difficulty breathing. Death can result in just a few hours. If any of these symptoms occur, STOP GIVING THE MEDICATION AND SEEK MEDICAL HELP IMMEDIATELY.

Minor side effects include:

• headache

• nausea, vomiting

• diarrhea

• pain or irritation at the injection site

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store the dry powder for injection at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused injection solution after 24 to 48 hours, as directed by the manufacturer.

Chloramphenicol oral suspension

What is chloramphenicol oral suspension?

CHLORAMPHENICOL (Chloromycetin®) is an antibiotic or antiinfective. It treats certain types of brain, lung, blood, or other serious infection. Generic chloramphenicol suspension is available.

What should my health care professional know before I take chloramphenicol?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• anemia or other blood disorders

• dental problems

• glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency

• liver disease

• kidney disease

• other chronic illness

• porphyria

• an unusual or allergic reaction to chloramphenicol, other antibiotics or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?

Chloramphenicol suspension is taken by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take at regular intervals through the day and night. Shake well before using. Use a specially marked spoon or container to measure your medicine. Ask your pharmacist if you do not have one; household spoons are not always accurate. Take 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating; taking it with food can make it less effective. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Finish the full course of medicine prescribed by your prescriber or health care professional even if you feel better. Do not stop using except on your prescriber's advice.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with chloramphenicol?

• antibiotics

• B vitamins

• chlorpropamide

• doxercalciferol

• entacapone

• iron

• oral contraceptives (birth control pills)

• paricalcitol

• phenobarbital

• phenytoin

• ramelteon

• rifampin

• tolbutamide

• warfarin

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking chloramphenicol?

Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms have not improved in a few days.

If you are taking this medicine for a long time you must visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular blood checks.

Chloramphenicol can cause blood problems. This can mean slow healing and a risk of infection. Problems can arise if you need dental work, or in the day to day care of your teeth. Try to avoid damage to your teeth and gums when you brush or floss your teeth.

If you are diabetic you may get a false-positive result for sugar in your urine. Check with your prescriber or health care professional before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetic medicine.

What side effects may I notice from taking chloramphenicol?

Serious side effects include:

• unusual bleeding or bruising

• fever or chills, sore throat

• mouth sores

• unusual weakness or tiredness

• skin rash, itching

• confusion

• blurred vision

• gray syndrome (blue-gray skin color, low body temperature, uneven breathing, bloated stomach)

Call your prescriber or health care professional as soon as you can if you notice any of these side effects.

Children up to the age of 2 can develop "gray-baby" syndrome. Symptoms include refusal to eat, swollen stomach, paleness and a blue or gray skin color, limpness, and difficulty breathing. Death can result in just a few hours. If any of these symptoms occur, STOP GIVING THE MEDICATION AND SEEK MEDICAL HELP IMMEDIATELY.

Minor side effects include:

• headache

• nausea, vomiting

• diarrhea

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature below 30 degrees C (86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Chloramphenicol skin cream

What is chloramphenicol skin cream?

CHLORAMPHENICOL (Chloromycetin®) is an antibiotic or antiinfective. It treats minor bacterial infections of the skin. Generic chloramphenicol cream is available.

What should my health care professional know before I use chloramphenicol?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• severe burns

• animal bites

• large areas of damaged skin

• an unusual or allergic reaction to chloramphenicol, other antibiotics or preservatives

How should I use this medicine?

Chloramphenicol cream is only for external use on the skin. Wash hands before and after use. Wash affected area and gently pat dry. Apply a thin layer of the ointment to the affected area as often as prescribed by your prescriber or health care professional. The area may be covered with a sterile gauze dressing (bandage) if desired.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with chloramphenicol?

Do not use other skin products with chloramphenicol without consulting your prescriber or health care professional.

What should I watch for while taking chloramphenicol?

Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your skin infection does not get within a week.

To prevent the spread of infection, do not share skin products, or share towels and washcloths with anyone else.

What side effects may I notice from using chloramphenicol?

Serious side effects include:

• burning, redness and itching (this may indicate an allergic reaction or an infection that will not respond to chloramphenicol)

Other serious side effects are unlikely from ear products but include:

• unusual bleeding or bruising

• fever or chills, sore throat

• mouth sores

• unusual weakness or tiredness

• skin rash, itching

• confusion

• blurred vision (which does not go away)

• gray syndrome (blue-gray skin color, low body temperature, uneven breathing, bloated stomach)

Call your prescriber or health care professional as soon as you can if you notice any of these side effects.

Children up to the age of 2 can develop "gray-baby" syndrome. Symptoms include refusal to eat, swollen stomach, paleness and a blue or gray skin color, limpness, and difficulty breathing. Death can result in just a few hours. If any of these symptoms occur, STOP GIVING THE MEDICATION AND SEEK MEDICAL HELP IMMEDIATELY.

Minor side effects include:

• headache

• nausea, vomiting

• diarrhea

• skin irritation

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at below 30 degrees C (86 degrees F). Follow manufacturers advice. Some products are stored in a refrigerator between 2 and 8 degrees C (36 and 46 degrees F); do not freeze. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.