Chloramphenicol

Uses	Bacterial infections
Therapy	Antibiotic
Side Effects	Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, drowsiness, stomach pain

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Molecule Description

Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic used for the treatment of severe bacterial infection and typhoid fever where other anti-infectives are ineffective. It stops the growth of bacteria, thus preventing the spread of infection. Chloramphenicol should not be used in children below 18 years of age. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid it. Chloramphenicol should not be used to treat viral infection. Take the medicine at the prescribed dose for the prescribed duration to gain optimal benefits. You may experience nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, dizziness after taking the medicine. If these symptoms worsen, inform the doctor or visit a nearby hospital or clinic immediately.

Uses

Chloramphenicol is used for the treatment of severe bacterial infection and typhoid fever when other antimicrobials are ineffective.

Contraindications

When should one not use Chloramphenicol

If you are allergic to chloramphenicol or other component of Chloramphenicol.
If you have or had a blood disorder or porphyria (a rare inherited metabolic disorder).
If you have been vaccinated recently.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you are taking medicines that result in bone marrow suppression.

Side effects

Common side effects of this drug are:

Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Stomach pain and/or bloating

Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy

Chloramphenicol crosses the placenta and may cause harm to the unborn baby or lead to a threatened pregnancy. Avoid taking Chloramphenicol if you are pregnant. Consult the doctor if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.

Breast Feeding

Chloramphenicol passes into the breastmilk and may cause harm to the newborn baby. It may lead to Grey baby syndrome, where the skin of the baby appears grey, weak, and also life-threatening. Consult the doctor if you are a nursing mother.

Driving

Chloramphenicol does not affect the ability to drive. However, if you experience side effect which alters driving ability, avoid driving.

Alcohol

It is usually unsafe to consume alcohol while taking Chloramphenicol or other antibiotics. It may lead to serious consequences. Talk to the doctor if you consume it too often.

Other General Warnings

Talk to your doctor if

You have liver or kidney disease.
You are on other medications.
You are giving it to the elderly.
Chloramphenicol should not be used in children below 18 years of age.

Mode of Action

How Does It Work?

Chloramphenicol prevents the formation of proteins necessary to perform vital functions. Thus, it stops the growth of bacteria and prevents infection.

Interactions

Interactions with other medicines

Some medicines may affect the way Chloramphenicol works, or the medicine itself may reduce the effectiveness of other medicines taken at the same time.
Tell the doctor about the medicines, supplements, or herbals you are currently taking or might take to avoid possible interaction.
Taking medicine with Chloramphenicol may alter the effect of either medicine or cause serious consequences, hence should be used with caution.
Paracetamol for pain and fever, antibiotics for infections such as co-trimoxazole, penicillin or rifampicin type.
Blood thinners like warfarin, dicoumarin must be used with caution.
Antidiabetics such as gliclazide, tolbutamide, immunosuppressive medicine such as cyclosporine, tacrolimus.
Medicines that suppress bone marrow such as carbamazepine, penicillamine, sulphonamides, phenylbutazone, antipsychotic medicines such as clozapine, flupenthixol, fluphenazine, procainamide.
Medicine used to treat seizure or fits such as carbamazepine, phenytoin and phenobarbital.
Hormonal pills such as estrogen, medicines used to treat hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) such as carbimazole, propylthiouracil.
Antiretroviral medicines used to treat HIV infection such as zidovudine, hydroxocobalamin as a form of vitamin B12 used to treat B12 deficiency, a medicine used to treat cancer such as cisplatin, daunorubicin.

Dosage

Overdose

If you experience symptoms or think you have taken too much of Chloramphenicol, contact the doctor immediately or visit the nearest hospital.

Missed a Dose

If you missed the dose of Chloramphenicol take it as soon as you remember. If it's time for the next dose skip the missed dose and follow the regular dosing schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Chloramphenicol starts showing activity soon after you take it. However, it may take some days to kill the harmful bacteria.

No, Chloramphenicol is not a pain killer. It only treats bacterial infections and provides relief from symptoms of infection.

No, do not stop taking Chloramphenicol. Complete the entire course of treatment even if you start feeling better, else you may experience treatment failure and the increased risk of recurrence of the infection.

Yes, the use of Chloramphenicol may cause diarrhoea along with the desired effect, but not everyone gets them. It is an antibiotic that kills both good and bad bacteria, when good bacteria present in the intestine gets killed it may cause diarrhoea. If you are experiencing severe diarrhoea, talk to the doctor about it.

Yes, Chloramphenicol may be used to treat typhoid when other antibiotics are ineffective.

Talk to the doctor if your condition does not improve, even after taking Chloramphenicol. He might suggest other alternatives.

Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea are a few side effects of Chloramphenicol. Not everyone experiences the same. Talk to the doctor if they are severe or do not go away, and seek medical help immediately if you notice anything unusual such as unusual bleeding, bruising or fever.

Chloramphenicol is used for the treatment of severe bacterial infection and typhoid fever when other antimicrobials are ineffective.

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References:

Chloramphenicol[Internet]. Drugs.com. 2025 [cited 7 Jun 2026]

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