chloramphenicol sodium succinate at a glance
Medicine class
Systemic amphenicol antibiotic.
Usual role
Reserved for serious infections caused by susceptible bacteria when less toxic antibiotics are unsuitable.
Administration
Given by intravenous injection or infusion; intramuscular use is reserved for when intravenous access is unavailable.
Safety monitoring
Blood counts and, in higher-risk patients, chloramphenicol concentrations require close monitoring.
What is chloramphenicol sodium succinate used for?
The selected product is licensed for serious infections where chloramphenicol is clinically appropriate.
Typhoid fever.
Meningitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae.
Other serious infections caused by bacteria susceptible to chloramphenicol.
Situations where chloramphenicol is considered appropriate but oral administration is not possible.
How does chloramphenicol sodium succinate work?
The sodium succinate form is converted in the body to active chloramphenicol. Chloramphenicol interferes with bacterial protein production, preventing susceptible bacteria from growing and spreading.
chloramphenicol sodium succinate preparations and strengths
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 1 g
How to take chloramphenicol sodium succinate
This preparation is reconstituted and administered by a healthcare professional, usually in hospital. It is not intended for self-injection.
It may be given into a vein by injection or infusion.
Intramuscular injection may be considered when intravenous administration is not possible.
Food does not affect administration of this injectable preparation.
chloramphenicol sodium succinate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Reported effects whose frequency is unknown include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dry mouth and headache.
- Fungal or other non-susceptible infections can develop during treatment.
Get urgent medical advice
- Bone-marrow suppression, including aplastic anaemia, low platelets, low white cells or pancytopenia.
- Severe allergic reaction, including breathing difficulty or swelling of the mouth or throat.
- Optic or peripheral neuritis, which may cause blurred or lost vision, pain, numbness or tingling.
- Antibiotic-associated colitis, particularly severe or persistent diarrhoea.
- Grey syndrome in newborns and young infants following systemic exposure.
chloramphenicol sodium succinate in pregnancy
The selected injectable product lists pregnancy as contraindicated. Systemic chloramphenicol may occasionally be considered in hospital for a life-threatening infection, requiring a specialist risk–benefit decision with particular attention to exposure near delivery and possible newborn monitoring.
chloramphenicol sodium succinate while breastfeeding
The selected product lists breastfeeding as contraindicated. Oral or intravenous chloramphenicol should be avoided where possible because of theoretical serious effects in the infant; specialist advice is needed if systemic treatment is considered essential.
chloramphenicol sodium succinate interactions
Medication reconciliation is important because chloramphenicol can alter the effects or concentrations of several medicines.
Coumarin anticoagulants
Chloramphenicol may enhance anticoagulant effects, increasing bleeding risk and requiring closer monitoring.
Some sulfonylurea glucose-lowering medicines
Their effects may be enhanced, increasing the risk of low blood glucose.
Phenytoin
Chloramphenicol may enhance phenytoin effects and toxicity.
Common questions about chloramphenicol sodium succinate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is chloramphenicol sodium succinate the same as chloramphenicol?
It is a water-soluble injectable precursor that rapidly releases active chloramphenicol after administration.
Why is it reserved for serious infections?
Systemic chloramphenicol can cause rare but potentially fatal blood disorders, so less toxic effective antibiotics are preferred whenever possible.
Can it treat viral infections?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.