CHLORAMPHENICOL (Ophthalmic)

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.?

• Ak-Chlor Ophthalmic Ointment
• Ak-Chlor Ophthalmic Solution
• Chloracol Ophthalmic Solution
• Chlorofair Ophthalmic Ointment
• Chlorofair Ophthalmic Solution
• Chloromycetin Ophthalmic Ointment
• Chloromycetin for Ophthalmic Solution
• Chloroptic Ophthalmic Solution
• Chloroptic S.O.P.
• Econochlor Ophthalmic Ointment
• Econochlor Ophthalmic Solution
• I-Chlor Ophthalmic Solution
• Ocu-Chlor Ophthalmic Ointment
• Ocu-Chlor Ophthalmic Solution
• Ophthochlor Ophthalmic Solution
• Spectro-Chlor Ophthalmic Ointment
• Spectro-Chlor Ophthalmic Solution

In Canada?

• Ak-Chlor Ophthalmic Solution
• Chloromycetin Ophthalmic Ointment
• Chloromycetin for Ophthalmic Solution
• Chloroptic Ophthalmic Solution
• Chloroptic S.O.P.
• Fenicol Ophthalmic Ointment
• Ophtho-Chloram Ophthalmic Solution
• Pentamycetin Ophthalmic Ointment
• Pentamycetin Ophthalmic Solution
• Sopamycetin Ophthalmic Ointment
• Sopamycetin Ophthalmic Solution

Category

• Antibacterial, ophthalmic

Description

Chloramphenicol (klor-am-FEN-i-kole) belongs to the familyof medicines called antibiotics. Chloramphenicol ophthalmic preparations areused to treat infections of the eye. This medicine may be given alone or withother medicines that are taken by mouth for eye infections.

Chloramphenicol is available only with your doctor's prescription, in thefollowing dosage forms:

Ophthalmic
• Ophthalmic ointment (eye ointment) (U.S. and Canada)
• Ophthalmic solution (eye drops) (U.S. and Canada)

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine,the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it willdo. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For chloramphenicol,the following should be considered:

Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to chloramphenicol. Also tell your health care professionalif you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives.

Pregnancy?Chloramphenicol ophthalmic preparations have notbeen shown to cause birth defects or other problems in humans.

Breast-feeding?Chloramphenicol ophthalmic preparations have notbeen reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Children?Studies on this medicine have been done only in adultpatients, and there is no specific information comparing use of this medicinein children with use in other age groups.

Older adults?Many medicines have not been studied specificallyin older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactlythe same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effectsor problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing useof this medicine in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health careprofessional if you are using any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter[OTC]) medicine.

Proper Use of This Medicine

For patientsusing the eye drop form of chloramphenicol:

• Although the bottle may not be full, it contains exactly the amountof medicine your doctor ordered.
• To use:
  • First, wash your hands. Tilt the head back and, pressing your fingergently on the skin just beneath the lower eyelid, pull the lower eyelid awayfrom the eye to make a space. Drop the medicine into this space. Let go ofthe eyelid and gently close the eyes. Do not blink. Keep the eyes closed andapply pressure to the inner corner of the eye with your finger for 1 or 2minutes to allow the medicine to come into contact with the infection.
  • If you think you did not get the drop of medicine into your eye properly,use another drop.
  • To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicatortip or dropper to any surface (including the eye). Also, keep the containertightly closed.

To use the eye ointment form of chloramphenicol:

• First, wash your hands. Tilt the head back and, pressing your fingergently on the skin just beneath the lower eyelid, pull the lower eyelid awayfrom the eye to make a space. Squeeze a thin strip of ointment into this space.A 1-cm (approximately 1/3-inch) strip of ointment is usually enough, unlessyou have been told by your doctor to use a different amount. Let go of theeyelid and gently close the eyes. Keep the eyes closed for 1 or 2 minutesto allow the medicine to come into contact with the infection.
• To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicatortip to any surface (including the eye). After using chloramphenicol eye ointment,wipe the tip of the ointment tube with a clean tissue and keep the tube tightlyclosed.

To help clear up your infection completely, keep usingthis medicine for the full time of treatment, even if your symptomsbegin to clear up after a few days. If you stop using this medicine too soon,your symptoms may return. Do not miss any doses.

Dosing?The dose of chloramphenicol will be differentfor different patients. Follow your doctor's orders orthe directions on the label. The following information includes onlythe average doses of chloramphenicol. If your dose isdifferent, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For eye infection:
  • For ophthalmic ointment dosage form:
    • Adults and children?Use every three hours.
  • For ophthalmic solution (eye drops) dosageform:
    • Adults and children?One drop every one to four hours.

Missed dose?If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it assoon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip themissed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage?To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Keep the medicine from freezing.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be surethat any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Precautions While Using This Medicine

If yoursymptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, checkwith your doctor.

Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects.Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they mayneed medical attention.

Check with your doctorimmediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare?may also occur weeks or months after you stop usingthis medicine

Pale skin; sore throat and fever; unusual bleedingor bruising; unusual tiredness or weakness

Check withyour doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

Itching, redness, skin rash, swelling, or other sign of irritationnot present before use of this medicine

Other side effects may occurthat usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go awayduring treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check withyour doctor if either of the following side effects continues or is bothersome:

Less common

Burning or stinging

After application, eye ointments may be expected to cause your vision toblur for a few minutes.

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. Ifyou notice any other effects, check with your doctor.