chloramphenicol /-amfē″nikol/ , an antibacterial and antirickettsial. ▪ INDICATIONS: It is used for the treatment of serious infections when the microorganism is resistant to less toxic antibiotics and also when its ability to penetrate to the site of the infection is superior to less toxic alternative antibiotics. ▪ CONTRAINDICATIONS: It is used only when safer drugs are contraindicated; pregnancy, lactation, or known hypersensitivity to this drug also prohibits its use. ▪ ADVERSE EFFECTS: Among the more serious adverse reactions are bone marrow depression, aplastic anemia, and gray syndrome (characterized by circulatory collapse, cyanosis, acidosis, abdominal distension, coma, and death).
