Opsomycetin Oral Suspension 125 mg/5 ml

Uses

Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic that is clinically useful for, and should be reserved for, serious infections caused by organisms susceptible to its antimicrobial effects when less potentially hazardous therapeutic agents are ineffective or contraindicated. However, chloramphenicol may be chosen to ... Read more

Dosage

Opsomycetin Oral Suspension 125 mg/5 ml dosage

Chloramphenicol, like other potent drugs, should be prescribed at recommended doses known to have therapeutic activity. Inhibition of the majority of sensitive organisms may be expected at concentrations of 5 to 20 mcg/ml. The desired concentration of active drug in serum should fall within this range over most of the treatment period. Dosage of 50 mg/kg/day divided into 4 doses at intervals of 6 hours will usually achieve and sustain levels of this order.Except in certain circumstances (e.g. premature infants and neonates and individuals with hepatic or renal impairment) lower doses may not achieve these concentrations. Close observation of the patient should be maintained and in the event of any adverse reactions, dosage should be reduced or the drug discontinued, if other factors in the clinical situation permit.Adults: should receive 50 mg/kg/day in divided doses [approximately one 250 mg capsule per each 4.5 kg (10 lbs) of body weight or one 500 mg capsule per each 9 kg (20 lbs) of body weight] in divided doses at 6 hour intervals. In exceptional cases, patients with infections due to moderately resistant organisms may require increased dosage up to 100 mg/kg/day to achieve serum levels inhibiting the pathogen, but these high doses should be decreased as soon as possible. Adults with impairment of hepatic or renal function, or both, may have reduced ability to metabolize and excrete the drug. In instances of impaired metabolic processes, dosages should be adjusted accordingly.Pediatric patients: Dosage of 50 mg/kg/day divided at 6 hour intervals is effective against most susceptible organisms. Severe infections (eg., bacteremia or meningitis), especially when adequate cerebrospinal fluid concentrations are desired, may require dosage up to 100 mg/kg/day; however, it is recommended that dosage be reduced to 50 mg/kg/day as soon as possible. Children with impaired hepatic or renal function may retain excessive amounts of the drug.Newborn infants: A total of 25 mg/kg/day in 4 equal doses at 6-hour intervals usually produces and maintains concentrations in serum and tissues adequate to control most infections for which the drug is indicated.

Precaution

It is essential that adequate hematologic functions be closely monitored during treatment with the drug. While hematologic determinations may detect early peripheral hematologic changes, such as leukopenia, reticulocytopenia, or granulocytopenia, before they become irreversible, such determinations cannot be relied on to detect bone marrow depression prior to development of aplastic anemia

Interaction

Chloramphenicol has been shown to retard the biotransformation of tolbutamide, phenytoin, and dicoumarol in man. Chloramphenicol should be used with caution if administered concomitantly with lincomycin, clindamycin, or erythromycin. In vitro experiments have demonstrated that binding sites for erythromycin, lincomycin, clindamycin and chloramphenicol overlap and competitive inhibition may occur. Rifampin therapy can reduce Chloramphenicol concentrations.

Contraindication

Chloramphenicol is contraindicated in individuals with a history of hypersensitivity and/or toxic reaction to the product or its components. It must not be used in the treatment of trivial infections or where it is not indicated, as in colds, viral influenza, infections of the throat or as a prophylactic agent to prevent bacterial infections.

Acute Overdose

Levels exceeding 25 mcg/ml are frequently considered toxic. Chloramphenicol toxicity can be evidenced by serious hemopoietic effects such as aplastic anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, as well as increasing serum iron levels, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. In the case of serious overdosage, charcoal hemoperfusion may be effective in removing chloramphenicol from plasma. Exchange transfusion is of questionable value following massive overdosage, especially in neonates and infants.

Storage Condition

Store in a cool dry place. Keep bottle securely closed. Protect from light.

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