Chloramphenicol (Ophthalmic)

Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic. Chloramphenicol ophthalmic preparations are used to treat eye infections. This medicine may be used on its own or along with other medicines taken by mouth for eye infections.

Chloramphenicol is available only with your doctor's prescription.

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they get worse, contact your doctor.

In deciding to use a medicine, you need to consider the risks of taking it alongside the benefits it may provide. This is a choice you will make with your doctor. For this medicine, consider the following:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reactions to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare professional know about any other allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, carefully read the label or package ingredients.

Pediatric

This medicine has only been studied in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing how it works in children versus other age groups.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older adults. Therefore, it may not be clear if they work the same way in older people as they do in younger adults, or if they cause different side effects or issues. There is no specific information comparing the use of this medicine in elderly patients with other age groups.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medicine while breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits and risks before taking this medicine while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all, while others may be used together even if an interaction might happen. In these situations, your doctor may adjust the dose or take other precautions. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the following medicines. The interactions listed are based on their potential significance and are not all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or how often you use one or both medications.

• Cholera Vaccine, Live
• Tacrolimus
• Voriconazole

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may increase the risk of certain side effects, but using both may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or how often you use one or both medications.

• Ceftazidime
• Chlorpropamide
• Cyanocobalamin
• Cyclosporine
• Dicumarol
• Fosphenytoin
• Phenytoin
• Rifampin
• Rifapentine
• Tetanus Toxoid
• Tolbutamide

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be used around the time of eating food or certain types of food due to potential interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with some medicines may also lead to interactions. Discuss with your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

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 may need medical attention.

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

Rare

may also occur weeks or months after you stop using this medicine

• Pale skin
• sore throat and fever
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness

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

Less common

• Itching, redness, skin rash, swelling, or other sign of irritation not present before use of this medicine

Some side effects 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

• Burning or stinging

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

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Ocu-Chlor

In Canada

• Ak-Chlor
• Chloromycetin
• Chloroptic
• Fenicol
• Isopto Fenicol
• Minims Chloramphenicol 0.5%
• Ophtho-Chloram
• Pentamycetin Ophthalmic Solution 0.25%
• Pentamycetin Ophthalmic Solution 0.5%
• Pms-Chloramphenicol
• Sopamycetin

Chemical Class: Chloramphenicol (class)

For patients using the eye drop form of chloramphenicol:

• Although the bottle may not be full, it contains exactly the amount of medicine your doctor ordered.
• To use: First, wash your hands. Tilt the head back and, pressing your finger gently on the skin just beneath the lower eyelid, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to make a space. Drop the medicine into this space. Let go of the eyelid and gently close the eyes. Do not blink. Keep the eyes closed and apply pressure to the inner corner of the eye with your finger for 1 or 2 minutes 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 applicator tip or dropper to any surface (including the eye). Also, keep the container tightly closed.

To use the eye ointment form of chloramphenicol:

• First, wash your hands. Tilt the head back and, pressing your finger gently on the skin just beneath the lower eyelid, pull the lower eyelid away from 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, unless you have been told by your doctor to use a different amount. Let go of the eyelid and gently close the eyes. Keep the eyes closed for 1 or 2 minutes to allow the medicine to come into contact with the infection.
• To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip 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 tightly closed.

To help clear up your infection completely, keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if your symptoms begin 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 this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

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

Missed Dose

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

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.