Name: Chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin)
Class:
Mech.: Bacteriostatic. Inhib protein synth by binding to 50S subunit.
Absorption: Rapid oral absorption
Distribution: Body fluids, good CSF. Crosses placenta. Milk.
Metab.: Liver (glucuronyl transferase)
Excretion, t½: Urine (filtration, secretion), 1.5-3.5 hr.
Toxicity/S.E.s: Bone marrow depression (anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, prob. due to inhib. of mitoch. protein), aplastic anemia (allergic/idiosync, rare, irreversible, often fatal), Gray Baby Syndrome (neonate overdose due to reduced ability to conjuate CA and secrete metabolites), superinfection (S. aureus, Pseudomonas, fungi, can be life threatening).
Utility: DOC for severe Bacteroides infects (esp. CNS), backup for memingitis, rickettsial infects, brucellosis.
Special Features: Never use if safer antibiotic avail. Never use for mild infects.