Products
No drugs containing chloramphenicol for systemic use are commercially available in many countries.
Structure and properties
Chloramphenicol (C11H12Cl2N2O5, Mr = 323.1 g/mol) is a white to grayish white or yellowish white, fine, crystalline powder or exists as fine, acicular or elongated flat crystals. It is sparingly soluble in water. Chloramphenicol is formed during the growth of certain strains of and is a derivative of the amino acid phenylalanine.
Effects
Chloramphenicol (ATC S01AA01) is bacteriostatic against Gram-positive and -negative germs. Effects are due to binding to the 50S subunit of bacterial ribosomes, thereby inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis.
Indications
For the treatment of bacterial infectious diseases (2nd-line agent).
Adverse effects
Chloramphenicol can cause severe blood count disturbances and is therefore now used only as a second-line agent for specific indications (eg, Rocky Mountain spotted fever).
