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Chloracol Side Effects

Generic name: chloramphenicol

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 13, 2023.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Chloracol Side Effects associated with chloramphenicol. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Chloracol.

Applies to chloramphenicol: powder for solution.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Intravenous route (powder for solution)

Serious and fatal blood dyscrasias (aplastic anemia, hypoplastic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and granulocytopenia) are known to occur after the administration of chloramphenicol.

There have been reports of aplastic anemia attributed to chloramphenicol which later terminated in leukemia.

Blood dyscrasias have occurred after both short-term and prolonged therapy with this drug.

It is essential that adequate blood studies be made during treatment with the drug.

Intravenous route (powder for solution)

Serious and fatal blood dyscrasias (aplastic anemia, hypoplastic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and granulocytopenia) are known to occur after the administration of chloramphenicol.

There have been reports of aplastic anemia attributed to chloramphenicol which later terminated in leukemia.

Blood dyscrasias have occurred after both short-term and prolonged therapy with this drug.

It is essential that adequate blood studies be made during treatment with the drug.

Serious side effects of Chloracol

Along with its needed effects, chloramphenicol (the active ingredient contained in Chloracol) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Stop taking chloramphenicol and get emergency help immediately if any of the following effects occur:

Rare

- in babies only
  • Bloated stomach
  • drowsiness
  • gray skin color
  • low body temperature
  • uneven breathing
  • unresponsiveness

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking chloramphenicol:

Less common

  • pale skin
  • sore throat and fever
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • unusual tiredness or weakness (the above side effects may also occur up to weeks or months after you Stop taking chloramphenicol)

Rare

  • confusion, delirium, or headache
  • eye pain, blurred vision, or loss of vision
  • numbness, tingling, burning pain, or weakness in the hands or feet
  • skin rash, fever, or difficulty in breathing

Other side effects of Chloracol

Some side effects of chloramphenicol may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

For healthcare professionals

Applies to chloramphenicol: compounding powder, injectable powder for injection, oral capsule.

Hematologic

Hypersensitivity

Dermatologic

Gastrointestinal

Nervous system

Psychiatric

Ocular

Cardiovascular

Grey syndrome has been reported in neonates, premature infants, and infants; in most cases, therapy with this drug was started within the first 48 hours of life. Symptoms first appeared after 3 to 4 days of continued therapy with high doses and appeared in the following order: abdominal distension (with or without emesis), progressive pallid cyanosis, vasomotor collapse (often with irregular respiration), death within a few hours after onset of symptoms. In at least 1 case, grey syndrome was reported in a neonate whose mother had received this drug during labor. High serum drug levels (greater than 90 mcg/mL) have been associated with grey syndrome and large doses have been associated with a rapidly fatal course. Symptoms were often reversible with complete recovery when this drug was discontinued immediately.[Ref]

Other

Immunologic

Herxheimer reactions have been reported during treatment of typhoid fever.

Hepatic

References

1. Abrams SM, Degnan TJ, Vinciguerra V (1980) "Marrow aplasia following topical application of chloramphenicol eye ointment." Arch Intern Med, 140, p. 576-7

2. Calderwood SB, Moellering RC (1980) "Common adverse effects of antibacterial agents on major organ systems." Surg Clin North Am, 60, p. 65-81

3. Del Giacco GS, Petrini MT, Jannelli S, Carcassi U (1981) "Fatal bone marrow hypoplasia in a shepherd using chloramphenicol spray." Lancet, 1, p. 945

4. Farber BF, Brody JP (1981) "Rapid development of aplastic anemia after intravenous chloramphenicol and cimetidine therapy." South Med J, 74, p. 1257-8

5. Fraunfelder FT, Bagby GC, Kelly DJ (1982) "Fatal aplastic anemia following topical administration of ophthalmic chloramphenicol." Am J Ophthalmol, 93, p. 356-60

6. Alavi JB (1983) "Aplastic anemia associated with intravenous chloramphenicol." Am J Hematol, 15, p. 375-9

7. Smith AL, Weber A (1983) "Pharmacology of chloramphenicol." Pediatr Clin North Am, 30, p. 209-36

8. Shalit I, Marks MI (1984) "Chloramphenicol in the 1980s." Drugs, 28, p. 281-91

9. West BC, DeVault GA Jr, Clement JC, Williams DM (1988) "Aplastic anemia associated with parenteral chloramphenicol: review of 10 cases, including the second case of possible increased risk with cimetidine." Rev Infect Dis, 10, p. 1048-51

10. (2002) "Product Information. Chloromycetin (chloramphenicol)." Parke-Davis

11. Doona M, Walsh JB (1995) "Use of chloramphenicol as topical eye medication: time to cry halt? bone marrow aplasia also occurs with ocular use." BMJ, 310, p. 1217-8

12. Diskin C (2005) "Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria after chloramphenicol therapy." Mayo Clin Proc, 80, 1392, 1394

13. Finegold SM (1977) "Therapy for infections due to anaerobic bacteria: an overview." J Infect Dis, 135 Suppl, S25-9

14. Palchick BA, Funk EA, McEntire JE, Hamory BH (1984) "Anaphylaxis due to chloramphenicol." Am J Med Sci, 288, p. 43-5

15. Schewach-Millet M, Shpiro D (1985) "Urticaria and angioedema due to topically applied chloramphenicol ointment." Arch Dermatol, 121, p. 587

16. Van Joost T, Dikland W, Stolz E, Prens E (1986) "Sensitization to chloramphenicol: a persistent problem." Contact Dermatitis, 14, p. 176-8

17. Perkins JB, Raasch RH (1987) "Hypersensitivity reaction following chloramphenicol administration in a patient with typhoid fever." Drug Intell Clin Pharm, 21, p. 343-5

18. Liphshitz I, Loewenstein A (1991) "Anaphylactic reaction following application of chloramphenicol eye ointment." Br J Ophthalmol, 75, p. 64

19. Kounis GN, Kouni SA, Chiladakis JA, Kounis NG (2009) "Comment: Mesalamine-Associated Hypersensitivity Myocarditis in Ulcerative Colitis and the Kounis Syndrome (February)." Ann Pharmacother, 43, p. 393-4

20. Iqbal SM, Srivatsav CBP (1984) "Chloramphenicol ototoxicity." J Laryngol Otol, 98, p. 523-5

21. Phelps SJ, Tsiu W, Barrett FF, et al. (1987) "Chloramphenicol-induced cardiovascular collapse in an anephric patient." Pediatr Infect Dis J, 6, p. 285-8

22. Biancaniello T, Meyer R, Kaplan S (1981) "Chloramphenicol and cardiotoxicity." J Pediatr, 98, p. 828-30

Further information

Chloracol side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.