COMPOSITION :

Each capsule contains : Chloramphenicol 250mg.

DESCRIPTION :

Chlorasan (Chloramphenicol) is known as a broad-spectrum antibiotic, it is mainly bacteriostatic and is effective against

infections caused by a wide variety of gram negative and gram positive bacteria. It works by preventing bacteria from producing

proteins that are essential to them for growing and replicating. It is only used in the treatment of serious infections when other

antibiotics are not suitable and doesn’t give the desirable effect. Chlorasan is readily absorbed and widely distributed in body

tissues and fluids. It enters the C.S.F., crosses the placenta, diffuses into breast milk , aqueous and vitreous humours of the eye.

It is largely inactivated in the liver, excreted mainly in the urine and its half-life maybe 2 - 5 hours.

INDICATIONS :

To treat severe and potentially life-threating infections caused by bacteria such as blood poisoning, meningitis caused by

haemophilus influenza, typhoid fever and other types of systemic salmonella infections, cholera, chlamydophila psittaci

infections ,cystic fibrosis ,diseases caused by rickettsiae, plague and lymphogranuloma venereum.

DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION :

The usual dose : 500 mg every 6 hours or 50 mg/kg daily in divided doses every 6 hours. The dose should be reduced in the

presence of hepatic disease or patient with renal insufficiency.

*Use as prescribed by your doctor because dose may vary from one infection to another.

RESTRICTIONS ON USE :

Contraindications

- Patients who are hypersensitive to Chloramphenicol.

- Not used for minor infections or as prophylaxis and not used during vaccination.

- Not used in patients with aplastic anemia and porphyria.

- Patients with bones marrow supperssion due to a disease or taking medicine such as carbamzapine, sulphonamide and

penicillamine.

Precautions

- Chlorasan should be only used in the treatment of serious life-threatening infections. Patients may avoid the severity of side

effects by using the dose as prescribed and in some cases a regular blood monitoring level may be required.

- Patients with diabetes should monitor their blood suger level regluarly.

- If symptoms of anemia or bleeding appear, a blood cell count test should be done.

- This medication can cause gray syndrome when given to newborn or infants so using this medication should be stopped at

early stages to avoid fatalities.

- Use with caution in patients with hepatic or renal impairment.

Use in Pregnancy and Lactation

It must be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding .

DRUG INTERACTIONS :

- Concomitant use of Chloramphenicol with phenytoin, cyclosporine and tacrolimus increase their level in blood.

- Chloramphenicol enhances the anti-blood clotting effect when used concomitantly with Warfarin, hence warfarin dose needs to

be reduced.

- Chloramphenicol increases the effect of sulfonylureas on lowering blood sugar.

- Rifampicin and phenobarbital decrease the amount of Chloramphenicol in blood when used concomitantly.

- Medicines that affect blood cells count such as clozapine increase the risk of blood disorder when used with Chloramphenicol.

- Oral typhoid vaccination shouldn’t be taken until at least three days after finishing the course of Chloramphenicol.

- Chloramphenicol reduces the response to hydroxocobalamine.

- Concomitant administration of paracetamol should be avoided as this prolongs Chloramphenicol half-life.

ADVERSE EFFECTS :

Most common side effects : Nausea ,vomiting ,diarrhea dry mouth and headache.

Rare side effects : Aplastic anemia, reversible bone marrow depression, gray syndrome in babies related to excessively high

plasma level, optic neuritis ,peripheral neuritis, glossitis , ototoxicity and urticaria.

OVERDOSAGE :

Overdose symptoms is becuase of gray syndrome which is characterized by (vomiting, abdominal distension, ashen color,

hypothermia, irregular respiration, progressive pallid cyanosis, and shock, followed by death in a few hours or days) and

aplastic anemia, blurring of vision, optic neuritis, allergic skin rashes, and gastro-intestinal hemorrhage. Chlorasan should be

discontinued immediately on the appearance of toxic symptoms.Treatment is symptomatic and supportive.

STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS :

Store below 30°C, in a dry place .

PRESENTATIONS :

Chlorasan capsules : Pack of 16 capsules and hospital packs of different sizes.