What is Chloramphenicol?
Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic medication used to treat various bacterial infections, including meningitis, typhoid fever, and certain types of pneumonia. It works by inhibiting the synthesis of essential proteins in bacteria, ultimately leading to their death. Chloramphenicol is available in both oral and injectable forms and can be administered alone or in combination with other medications. The medication has a broad spectrum of activity against many Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria but should be used cautiously due to potential side effects.
What is Chloramphenicol used for?
Chloramphenicol, also known as Chloromyxin or CMC, is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that belongs to the class of phenicols. It was first introduced in the 1940s and has been widely used since then for its efficacy against various bacterial infections. Chloramphenicol’s mechanism of action involves binding to the 50S subunit of bacterial ribosomes, thereby inhibiting protein synthesis in susceptible microorganisms.
Chloramphenicol is effective against a wide range of bacteria, including both Gram-positive and Gram-negative species. It is particularly useful for treating serious infections such as typhoid fever, meningitis, endocarditis, and septicemia. However, its use has been limited by the risk of hematologic toxicity, specifically aplastic anemia and “gray baby syndrome,” which are rare but serious side effects associated with chloramphenicol therapy.
Chloramphenicol side effects
- Allergic reactions
- Blood dyscrasias (such as anemia, thrombocytopenia, or agranulocytosis)
- Changes in taste
- Dizziness
- Diarrhea
- Elevated liver enzymes
- Epigastric distress
- Flatulence
- Headache
- Hives
- Increased risk of infections (especially with prolonged use)
- Itching
- Nausea and vomiting
- Neutropenia
- Pruritus
- Rare but serious bleeding disorders, including aplastic anemia
- Rash
- Taste alterations
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