Chloramphenicol: Uses, Risks, and Practical Insights

When dealing with chloramphenicol, you’re looking at a drug that sits at the crossroads of powerful infection control and serious safety monitoring. chloramphenicol, a broad‑spectrum antibiotic that inhibits bacterial protein synthesis. Also known as CM, it is often reserved for severe bacterial infections such as typhoid fever, meningitis, and certain ocular conditions.

Because it belongs to the larger class of antibiotic, agents used to treat bacterial infections, chloramphenicol shares common challenges with its peers. One major challenge is bone marrow toxicity, a dose‑related risk that can lead to aplastic anemia. This risk forces clinicians to weigh the drug’s effectiveness against potential hematologic harm, especially in patients with existing blood disorders. Another factor shaping its use today is antibiotic resistance, the ability of bacteria to survive despite drug exposure. Rising resistance to many first‑line agents has revived interest in chloramphenicol for niche cases, but it also means careful susceptibility testing is essential before prescribing.

Key considerations for clinicians

Understanding chloramphenicol’s dosage forms, available as oral tablets, injectable solutions, and ophthalmic drops helps match therapy to infection site and patient preference. Oral dosing typically ranges from 25‑50 mg/kg/day divided every 6 hours for systemic infections, while eye drops are used at 0.5‑1 % concentration for conjunctivitis. Monitoring blood counts at baseline and regularly during treatment mitigates the risk of bone‑marrow suppression. In settings where resistant organisms limit other options, chloramphenicol can be a lifesaver, but it must be paired with vigilant lab follow‑up and patient education about signs of anemia.

Below you’ll find a curated collection of articles that dive deeper into antibiotic comparisons, safety profiling, and practical tips for buying medications online. Whether you’re a healthcare professional seeking dosing tables or a patient looking for affordable options, the posts ahead unpack real‑world scenarios and up‑to‑date guidance around chloramphenicol and related therapies.