Chloramphenicol

Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic that fights bacteria. It is used to treat certain types of serious infections caused by bacteria when other antibiotics cannot be used. It works by killing the bacteria that cause these problems. However, it will not treat a viral infection.

Chloramphenicol may be effective even when bacteria have developed resistance to other antibiotics. It should be taken on an empty stomach. You should take it regularly at evenly spaced intervals as per the schedule prescribed by your doctor. Taking it at the same time every day will help you to remember to take it. The dose will depend on what you are being treated for, but you should always complete a full course of this antibiotic as prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking it until you have finished, even when you feel better. If you stop taking it early, some bacteria may survive and the infection may come back.

Some people may develop side effects like vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, taste change. These side effects are usually temporary and go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if these side effects bother you or do not go away.

Before starting treatment with this medicine, you should tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney problems or if you are allergic to any antibiotic. While using it, your doctor may advise some blood tests to monitor your blood cell counts. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should consult their doctor before using it. Avoid consuming alcohol while taking this medicine as it may cause unpleasant side effects like nausea, vomiting, sweating, anxiety, and palpitations.

• Bacterial infections

Bacterial infections
Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic medicine that works by killing the infection- causing bacteria in your body. It is effective for bacterial infections of the throat, ears, urinary tract, skin, and soft tissues. This medicine usually makes you feel better within a few days, but you should continue taking it as prescribed even when you feel better. Stopping it early may make the infection come back and harder to treat.

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Ficol

• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Taste change

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Chloramphenicol is to be taken empty stomach.

Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic which stops the growth of bacteria. It does so by preventing synthesis of essential proteins required by bacteria to carry out vital functions. This does not directly kill the bacteria, but prevents them from increasing in numbers, and eventually clears up the infection.

• Your doctor has prescribed Chloramphenicol to cure your infection and improve your symptoms.

• Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. Stopping it early may make the infection to come back and harder to treat.

• Your doctor may get blood tests done to check your blood cells before starting treatment and regularly thereafter.

• Do not use Chloramphenicol if you are pregnant, planning to conceive, or breastfeeding.

• Inform your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease.

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Chambers HF, Deck DH. Tetracyclines, Macrolides, Clindamycin, Chloramphenicol, Streptogramins, & Oxazolidiones. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. pp. 802-803.

Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 244-25.

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