CLASSES OF ABX: CHLORAMPHENICOL

Question 1

a parent of a young boy, 1 years old comes in to express their concerns. The doctor has prescribed her son some abx ointment for an eye infection but she has done some googling and is not sure if it is safe to use for his age due to concerns about boron exposure.

What do you say?

Answer 1

chloramphenicol - can be used in children under 2 safely as advised by a prescriber

benefits of chloramphenicol ED containing borax or boric acid outweighs potential risk and the exposure is very low

Question 2

OTC

Answer 2

over 2

Question 3

chloramphenicol interacts with this diabetes medicine.

hint hypo

Answer 3

SUs - chloramphenicol predicted to INCREASE exposure to SUs. monitor BG

Question 4

why should chloramphenicol be reserved for treatment of life threatening infections only

Answer 4

Associated with serious haematological side-effects when given systemically

Question 5

use of chloramphenicol in pregnancy

Answer 5

IV or oral: avoid, grey baby syndrome if used in 3rd trimester

eye: avoid unless essential, no info on topical use

Question 6

use of chloramphenicol in BF

Answer 6

avoid
may cause bone marrow toxicity in infant
conc in milk usually insufficiency to cause grey syndrome

Question 7

true or false - avoid chloramphenicol in BF because it can cause grey baby syndrome

Answer 7

false
may cause bone-marrow toxicity in infant; concentration in milk usually insufficient to cause ‘grey syndrome’.