Chloramphenicol (Steri-Med Pharma): Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

What is Chloramphenicol used for?

• Chloramphenicol is used to treat eye infections caused by bacteria.
• Antibacterial drugs like Chloramphenicol treat only bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections.

How does Chloramphenicol work?

Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic that stops bacteria from growing and kills them.

What are the ingredients in Chloramphenicol?

Medicinal ingredient: Chloramphenicol.

Non-medicinal ingredients: Mineral Oil, Polysorbate 60, White Petrolatum.

Chloramphenicol comes in the following dosage forms:

Ophthalmic ointment 1% available in a 3.5 g tube.

Do not use Chloramphenicol if:

• You are allergic to chloramphenicol or any other ingredients in this product.
• Have ever had problems with your blood (in particular with low numbers of blood cells) during previous treatments with chloramphenicol.
• Have a family history of blood problems such as low white blood cell, red blood cell or platelet count.
• You or a member of your family has had problems with their blood or bone marrow. These problems can include a severe reduction in red blood cells or lower than normal blood count.

To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take Chloramphenicol. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have including if you:

• have disturbed vision
• have severe pain in the eye
• are sensitive to light
• have eye inflammation with a rash on the scalp or face
• have a cloudy eye
• have any changes in how the coloured or black part of your eye looks
• have a foreign body in the eye
• have an eye infection that keeps coming back
• have glaucoma (raised pressure in the eye)
• have dry eyes
• have eye injury
• are currently using any other eye drops or eye ointment
• have had eye surgery or laser treatment in the last 6 months
• wear contact lenses

Other warnings you should know about:

• Do not use Chloramphenicol for more than 5 days or as directed by your doctor.
• If there is no improvement within 2 days of starting treatment, stop use and consult a physician.

• Chloramphenicol should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding, unless considered essential by your doctor. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using this medicine.

• Do not wear contact lenses while you are using Chloramphenicol. When you have an eye infection, wearing contact lenses can make it worse.

• Your vision may be blurred for a few minutes after using the product. Do not drive or operate machinery until you can see clearly.

Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals natural supplements or alternative medicines.

The following may interact with Chloramphenicol:

• medicines for cancer such as methotrexate
• medicines for the immune system such as azathioprine
• other eye ointments or eye drops

How to use Chloramphenicol:

• Although you may feel better early in treatment, Chloramphenicol should be used exactly as directed.
• Misuse or overuse of Chloramphenicol could lead to the growth of bacteria that will not be killed by Chloramphenicol (resistance). This means that Chloramphenicol may not work for you in the future.
• Do not share your medicine.
• Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully about how much Chloramphenicol to apply and when to apply it.

Usual Dose:

Adults and children aged 2 years and over: Apply a small amount of the ointment into the space between the lower eyelid and the eye 3 to 4 times daily, or as directed.

Applying Chloramphenicol Ophthalmic Ointment into the eye:

• Wash hands with soap and water.
• Sit in front of a mirror so you can see what you are doing.
• Take the cap off the tube.
• Tilt your head back.
• Gently pull down your lower eyelid and look up.
• Hold the tube above the eye and gently squeeze about a 1 cm line of ointment into the space between the lower eyelid and the eye, taking care not to touch the eye or eyelashes with the tip of the tube.
• Blink your eyes to spread the ointment over the surface of the eye.
• Your vision may be blurred when you open your eyes – DO NOT rub your eyes. The blurring will clear after a few moments if you keep blinking.
• Repeat this procedure for the other eye if you have been advised to do so by your doctor or pharmacist.
• Replace the cap securely after use.
• Take care not to touch the tip of the tube with your fingers.

Missed Dose:

If you missed a dose of this medication, take it as soon as you remember. But, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your next scheduled dose, as directed by your doctor. Do not take two doses at the same time.

Overdose:

If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have taken too much CHLORAMPHENICOL, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, regional poison control centre or Health Canada’s toll-free number, 1-844 POISON-X (1-844-764-7669) immediately, even if there are no signs or symptoms.

What are possible side effects from using Chloramphenicol?

These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking Chloramphenicol. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.

Serious side effects and what to do about them

If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.

Reporting Side Effects

You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:

• Visiting the Web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting (canada.ca/drug-device-reporting) for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax; or
• Calling toll-free at 1-866-234-2345.

NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.

Storage:

Store between 15°C and 30°C. Keep container tightly closed.

Keep out of reach and sight of children.

If you want more information about Chloramphenicol:

• Talk to your healthcare professional.
• Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals, and includes this Patient Medication Information, by visiting the Health Canada Drug Product Database website (Drug Product Database: Access the database) or by calling 1-855-543-9917.

Last Revised: November 12, 2025