Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Chloromycetin Succinate Injection
What is CHLOROMYCETIN* SUCCINATE INJECTION used for?
CHLOROMYCETIN* SUCCINATE INJECTION is used to treat infections:
- caused by certain bacteria
Antibacterial drugs like CHLOROMYCETIN* SUCCINATE INJECTION treat only bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections such as the common cold.
How does CHLOROMYCETIN* SUCCINATE INJECTION work?
CHLOROMYCETIN* SUCCINATE INJECTION is an antibiotic. It stops bacteria from growing.
What are the ingredients in CHLOROMYCETIN* SUCCINATE INJECTION? Medicinal
ingredients: chloramphenicol (as chloramphenicol sodium succinate).
Non-medicinal ingredients: none.
CHLOROMYCETIN* SUCCINATE INJECTION comes in the following dosage forms:
As a sterile powder for solution in a vial containing 1g chloramphenicol.
Do not use CHLOROMYCETIN* SUCCINATE INJECTION if you:
- are allergic to chloramphenicol .
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take CHLOROMYCETIN* SUCCINATE INJECTION. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- have liver problems
- have kidney problems
are pregnant
- are taking a medicine that may affect your bone marrow. If you are not sure if a medicine you take does this, talk to your doctor.
Other warnings you should know about:
Gray syndrome:
Gray baby syndrome is a toxic reaction that can happen in babies who are given CHLOROMYCETIN SUCCINATE INJECTION. This can be dangerous and can lead to death. Your doctor will be very careful when giving CHLOROMYCETIN SUCCINATE INJECTION to your baby. They will test your baby’s blood during treatment. You should watch for the following symptoms in your baby: blue lips, grey colour of skin, irregular breathing, loss of appetite, low muscle tone, reduced muscle strength, swollen belly, vomiting. Get immediate medical help if you baby has any of these symptoms.
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 CHLOROMYCETIN* SUCCINATE INJECTION:
- tolbutamide, a medicine used to treat diabetes
- phenytoin, a medicine used to treat seizures
- dicumarol, a medicine used to treat blood clots
How to take CHLOROMYCETIN* SUCCINATE INJECTION:
- CHLOROMYCETIN* SUCCINATE INJECTION will be given to you by a healthcare professional.
- It will be infused directly into your vein.
- You will receive it either 2, 3 or 4 times a day.
- Follow all instructions given to you by your healthcare professional.
- Although you may feel better early in treatment, CHLOROMYCETIN* SUCCINATE INJECTION should be used exactly as directed.
- Misuse or overuse of CHLOROMYCETIN* SUCCINATE INJECTION could lead to the growth of bacteria that will not be killed by CHLOROMYCETIN* SUCCINATE INJECTION (resistance). This means that CHLOROMYCETIN* SUCCINATE INJECTION may not work for you in the future.
Usual dose:
- Your healthcare professional will decide how much CHLOROMYCETIN* SUCCINATE INJECTION you will receive.
- Your healthcare professional will decide how often and for how long you will receive CHLOROMYCETIN* SUCCINATE INJECTION.
Overdose:
Overdosage can result in symptoms such as: nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
What are possible side effects from using CHLOROMYCETIN* SUCCINATE
INJECTION?
These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when taking CHLOROMYCETIN* SUCCINATE INJECTION. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional.
Side effects may include:
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
Your doctor will perform blood tests before you take CHLOROMYCETIN SUCCINATE INJECTION and while you are taking it.
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | |
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
| UNCOMMON | |||
| Allergic reactions: difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, fever, hives, itching, rash, swelling of your tongue or throat. | ✓ | ||
| Headache | ✓ | ||
| Mental health problems: | ✓ | ||
If you think you have received too much CHLOROMYCETIN* SUCCINATE INJECTION , contact your healthcare professional, hospital emergency department or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.
| Confusion, depression, disorientation, inability to think clearly or pay attention, loss of touch with reality, reduced awareness. | |||
| Sore mouth or tongue | ✓ | ||
| RARE | |||
| Anemia (decreased red blood cells): dizziness, fatigue, loss of energy, paleness, shortness of breath, weakness. | ✓ | ||
| Enterocolitis (bowel inflammation): abdominal pain or tenderness, fever, severe diarrhea (bloody or watery), nausea, pain, mucus or pus in stool, vomiting. | ✓ | ||
| Gray syndrome (toxic reaction that can happen in babies only and can lead to death): loss of appetite, vomiting, grey colour of the skin, blue lips , low body temperature, swollen belly, irregular breathing, low muscle tone, reduced muscle strength. | ✓ | ||
| Leukopenia (decreased white blood cells): aches, bleeding gums, feeling tired, fever, flu-like symptoms, infections, sore mouth and gums, mouth ulcer, rash. | ✓ | ||
| Nerve damage: muscle weakness, numbness, prickling or tingling in your hand or feet, pain, sensitivity to touch. | ✓ | ||
| Optic neuritis (inflammation of the eye): change in vision, flashing lights, pain, vision loss. | ✓ | ||
| Thrombocytopenia (decreased platelets in the blood): bleeding, bruising, fatigue, weakness. | ✓ |
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare professional.
Storage:
- Store CHLOROMYCETIN* SUCCINATE INJECTION at room temperature (15 to 30°C).
- Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about CHLOROMYCETIN* SUCCINATE INJECTION:
- 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 website (http://hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php); the manufacturer's website (www.searchlightpharma.com), or by calling 1-647-945-9762.
Last revision date: OCT 17, 2022
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.
Calling toll-free at 1-866-234-2345.
Visiting the Web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting (http://www.hc- sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/medeff/report-declaration/index-eng.php) for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax; or
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by: