CHLORAMPHENICOL (CHLOROMYCETIN)
Chloramphenicol is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that slows the growth of a wide
variety of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. In high doses, chloram-
phenicol can kill bacteria. Chloramphenicol is given for treatment of meningitis
(H influenzae, S pneumoniae,andN meningitides), parathyroid fever, Q fever,
Rocky Mountain spotted fever, typhoid fever, typhus infections, brain abscesses,
and bacterial septicemia.
Chloramphenicol should not be used for a patient who is pregnant or is
breastfeeding. Neonates may develop gray syndrome, which is blue-gray skin,
hypothermia, irregular breathing, coma, and cardiovascular collapse.
Chloramphenicol is not recommended for use with a patient who is undergo-
ing radiation therapy or who has bone marrow depression.
Monitor the chloramphenicol serum level to assure that chloramphenicol stays
within therapeutic limits. Chloramphenicol does have a seriously toxic effect on
bone marrow.
Patients have infrequently reported experiencing diarrhea, nausea, or vomit-
ing. Serious adverse effects include blood dyscrasias, optic neuritis, and possi-
bly irreversible bone marrow depression that may lead to aplastic anemia.
CHAPTER 13 Antimicrobials—Fighting Infection^235
Tetracyclines(continued)
Pregnancy Category: D
Route Dose Time
Doxycycline (Vibramycin)—Long Acting
Protein-Binding: 25%–92%
Half-Life: 20 hours
PO 100 mg Twice the first day
100 to 200 mg Once a day there after
Minocycline (Minocin)—Long Acting
Protein-Binding: 55%–88%
Half-Life: 11–20 hours
PO 200 mg First dose
100 mg Every 12 hours