Chloramphenicol: Side Effects, Uses & Monitoring

Labeled uses

In accord with the concepts in the Warning Box and this INDICATIONS AND USAGE section, chloramphenicol must be used only in those serious infections for which less potentially dangerous drugs are ineffective or contraindicated.  However, chloramphenicol may be chosen to initiate antibiotic therapy on the clinical impression that one of the conditions below is believed to be present; in vitro sensitivity tests should be performed concurrently so that the drug may be discontinued as soon as possible if less potentially dangerous agents are indicated by such tests. The decision to continue use of chloramphenicol rather than another antibiotic when both are suggested by in vitro studies to be effective against a specific pathogen should be based upon severity of the infection, susceptibility of the pathogen to the various antimicrobial drugs, efficacy of the various drugs in the infection, and the important additional concepts contained in the Warning Box above. • Acute infections caused by Salmonella typhi *     It is not recommended for the routine treatment of the typhoid carrier state. • Serious infections caused by susceptible strains in accordance with the concepts  expressed abo…