Chloramphenicol Toxicity: A Review

Abstract

Chloramphenicol (CAP) is a potent and efficient antibiotic used since years against many pathogens. Despite being highly effective, it shows severe toxicity in the form of Aplastic anemia (AA) and bone marrow suppression. Its D – form is the toxic one and inhibits protein synthesis. In living system, CAP is hydrolyzed and absorbed completely. Its excretion is also at a high rate but is highly impaired in disorders associate liver and kidneys. It is metabolized in liver to Chloramphenicol glucuronide. Being highly toxic, it is still prescribed at a noticeable rate. It is recommended to be prescribed to be only when there is no other alternative is present with a monitoring of its concentration in patients body. Chloramphenicol induced hematotoxicity was demonstrated in rats which recovered due to oral administration of coconut water within two weeks.