Chloramphenicol

CLINICAL USE

Antibacterial agent

DOSE IN NORMAL RENAL FUNCTION

Oral/IV: 50 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 6 hours (maximum 100 mg/kg/day)

PHARMACOKINETICS

  • Molecular weight                           :323.1
  • %Protein binding                           :60
  • %Excreted unchanged in urine     : 5–10
  • Volume of distribution (L/kg)       :0.5–1.0
  • half-life – normal/ESRD (hrs)      :1.5–4/Unchanged

    DOSE IN RENAL IMPAIRMENT

    GFR (mL/MIN)

  • 20 to 50     : Dose as in normal renal function
  • 10 to 20     : Dose as in normal renal function
  • <10           : Dose as in normal renal function

    DOSE IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING RENAL REPLACEMENT THERAPIES

  • CAPD                :Not dialysed. Dose as in normal renal function
  • HD                     :Dialysed. Dose as in normal renal function
  • HDF/high flux   :Dialysed. Dose as in normal renal function
  • CAV/VVHD      :Not dialysed. Dose as in normal renal function

    IMPORTANT DRUG INTERACTIONS

    Potentially hazardous interactions with other drugs

  • Anticoagulants: effect of coumarins enhanced
  • Antidiabetics: effect of sulphonylureas enhanced
  • Anti-epileptics: metabolism accelerated by barbiturates and primidone (reduced plasma concentration of chloramphenicol); increased plasma concentration of phenytoin (risk of toxicity
  • )Antipsychotics: avoid concomitant use with clozapine (increased risk of agranulocytosis)
  • Ciclosporin: possibly increases ciclosporin concentration
  • Tacrolimus: possibly increases tacrolimus concentration

    ADMINISTRATION

    Reconstition

    Kemicetine: 1 g vial – reconstitute with water for injection, sodium chloride 0.9% or glucose 5%. 1.7 mL = 400 mg/mL solution 3.2 mL = 250 mg/mL solution 4.2 mL = 200 mg/mL solution

    Route

    Oral, IV, IM (Kemicetine only)

    Rate of Administration

    Over at least 1 minute

    Comments

    OTHER INFORMATION

  • Manufacturers recommend monitoring serum levels in patients with renal impairment – Micromedex therapeutic range 10–25 micrograms/mL
  • Levels should be taken 1 hour after IV administration, aim for 15–25 mg/L, trough <15 mg/L
  • Kemicetine 1 g vial = 3.14 mmol sodium .
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