Chloramphenicol
Indications for use
- Treatment of acute bacterial conjunctivitis
Age
- Products have an age restriction of 2 years +
Dose/Directions
- Check individual manufacturer as not all products are the same
- Example: Optrex Infected Eye®
- Drops: One drop instilled into the infected eye every 2 hours for the first 48 hours and 4 hourly thereafter (fridge storage)
- Ointment: small amount of ointment (~ 1cm) to be applied to the affected eye(s) 3 to 4 times a day if eye ointment is used alone (room temperature)
Duration
- Treatment should continue for 5 days even if symptoms improve. If symptoms do not improve within 48 hours talk to your doctor
Contra-indications/referral criteria
- Hypersensitivity
- Family history of blood dyscrasias
- Previous myelosuppression with chloramphenicol use
- Refer patients with disturbed vision, significant eye pain, photophobia, cloudy eye, unusual pupil, foreign bodies in eye, previous recent conjunctivitis, glaucoma, dry eye syndrome, eye surgery or laser treatment in past 6 months, eye injury
Examples of drug interactions
- Bone marrow depressant drugs
Side-effects
- Transient burning or stinging sensations, transient blurred vision (particularly with ointment), hypersensitivity reactions
Other pertinent information
- Contact lens wearers: if this product is to be used following advice from a contact lens practitioner or doctor, contact lenses should not be worn during the course of treatment. Soft contact lenses should typically not be replaced for 24 hours after completing the treatment
- Reclassified POM→P: 2005 (eye drops), 2007 (eye ointment)