Chloramphenicol

Chloramphenicol is a rarely used broad spectrum antibiotic due to severe potential adverse effects.  Enzymatic inactivation, diminished absorption, and changes in the binding site are mechanisms of resistance.  Hemolytic and aplastic anemias are possible as well as gray baby syndrome, which is a noted syndrome of poor feeding, decreased responsiveness, respiratory depression, cardiovascular collapse, and death.  

Class Drugs

• Chloramphenicol

Class Mechanism of Action

Binds 50s subunit inhibiting protein synthesis

Primarily bacteriostatic

Class Applications

Broad spectrum

• Only used in life-threatening infections with no alternative

Class Adverse Effects

Resistance

• Enzymatic inactivation

• Changes in binding site

• Decreased penetration

Hemolytic and aplastic anemia

Grey baby syndrome

• Accumulation of drug due to decreased ability to excrete drug results in the following effects

Poor feeding

• Respiratory depression

• Cardiovascular collapse

• Hypoxia/Cyanosis

• Death

Drug-drug effects (warfarin, phenytoin)

Blurred vision

Drug Table

Drug Name	Application	Comments	Image
Chloramphenicol			"Clorox" "Amp" "Fence"