A powerful antibiotic which sometimes causes the collapse of blood cell production, so is used only for treating life-threatening diseases such as meningitis.
Synthetic antibiotic (originally extracted from Streptomyces venezuelae) of broad range, principally bacteriostatic in action. Occasionally toxic, especially to bone marrow.
Antibacterial and anti-rickettsial agent, effective in treating many serious infections (especially typhoid fever) but associated with some serious reactions (e.g., bone marrow depression) and now used with caution.
An antibiotic, derived from Streptomyces venezuelae and also produced synthetically, that is effective against a wide variety of microorganisms. However, due to its serious side-effects, especially damage to the bone marrow, it is usually reserved for serious infections (such as typhoid fever) when less toxic drugs are ineffective.
An antibiotic derived from a soil organism, Streptomyces venezuelae. It is also prepared synthetically. A potent broad-spectrum antibiotic, chloramphenicol may, however, cause serious side-effects such as aplastic anaemia, peripheral (neuritis, optic neuritis and, -in neonates, abdominal distension and circulatory collapse. The drug should therefore be reserved for the treatment of life-threatening infections such as Haemophilus influenzae, septicaemia or meningitis, typhoid fever and typhus, when the causative organism proves resistant to other drugs. However, because it is inexpensive, it is used widely in developing countries. This antibiotic is available as drops for use in eye and ear infection, where safety is not a problem.
A frequently employed antibiotic medication, typically administered in the form of eye drops, is utilized to address surface-level eye infections. Chloramphenicol, known for its effectiveness, also proves valuable in treating severe infections of unidentified origins that pose life-threatening risks. It is worth noting that in rare instances, oral tablets or injections of this drug have been associated with the development of aplastic anemia.
An antibiotic known by the trade name Chloromycetin.