In the case of acute bacterial conjunctivitis ONLY, the sale and supply of 0.5% Chloramphenicol drops [1% ointment] may now be instigated by all Dispensing Opticians.

<ABDO Use and supply of drugs>

 

The restrictions of the pharmacy classification limit the supply to a maximum pack size of

  • 10ml [drops] or 4gms [ointment]
  • only in adults and children over 2 years of age
  • for a maximum of 5 days

All actions and advice should be noted on the patient’s record.

 

Side effects

Like all medicines, chloramphenicol can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

Common side effects

These common side effects happen in more than 1 in 100 people.

Chloramphenicol eye drops or ointment can cause stinging or burning in your eye. This happens straight after using the eye drops or ointment and only lasts for a short time. Do not drive or operate machinery until your eyes feel comfortable again and your vision is clear.

Chloramphenicol ear drops can cause mild stinging, irritation, burning or itching in your ear. If the skin around your ear becomes red and irritated, tell your doctor. This is a sign of dermatitis and your doctor may recommend some different antibiotic ear drops for you.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects are rare and happen in less than 1 in 1,000 people.

Call a doctor straight away if you:

  • bruise more easily
  • get infections more easily
  • feel especially tired or weak

These can be signs of aplastic anaemia, a rare condition where your bone marrow fails to produce blood cells normally. This is very unlikely to happen if you're using chloramphenicol eye drops, ointment or ear drops. There's a greater risk of aplastic anaemia when chloramphenicol is given intravenously (directly into a vein).

Serious allergic reaction

In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to chloramphenicol.

Immediate action required:Call 999 or go to A&E if:

  • you get a skin rash that may include itchy, red, swollen, blistered or peeling skin
  • you're wheezing
  • you get tightness in the chest or throat
  • you have trouble breathing or talking
  • your mouth, face, lips, tongue or throat start swelling

You could be having a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.

These are not all the side effects of chloramphenicol. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicines packet.

Information:

You can report any suspected side effect to the UK safety scheme.

6. Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using chloramphenicol.

Chloramphenicol eye drops aren't generally recommended if you're pregnant. This is because there isn't enough research into using them during pregnancy. Speak to your doctor about what's right for you and your baby.