Blood Dyscrasias and Topical Ophthalmic Chloramphenicol

Escherichia coli from Nigeria exhibit a high prevalence of antibiotic resistance where reliance on antibiotics in poultry production is a potential contributing factor

“…Respondents to our survey indicated that they used several antibiotics that could be problematic from a public health perspective. For instance, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has prohibited use of chloramphenicol in food animals (DHHS, 2010a) in part because residues in meat products can cause aplastic anemia and other blood disorders in humans (Fraunfelder et al, 1993;Young and Alter, 1994). Consequently, this practice represents a genuine public health risk beyond selecting for antibiotic resistant bacteria and it will certainly contribute to trade complications.…”

Evaluation of drug utilization and prescribing errors in infants: A primary care prescription-based study

“…In view of its bone marrow toxicity potential, the use of chloramphenicol in infants is controversial [29]. Subjecting infants to the risks of chloramphenicol cannot be justified while safer alternative anti-infectives are available to treat eye infections [30].…”

Comparison of cyclooxygenase inhibitory activity and ocular anti-inflammatory effects of ketorolac tromethamine and bromfenac sodium

“…Although it is uncommon to associate the topical ocular use of a medication with adverse systemic effects, such effects are known to occur and are well documented for drugs such as topical beta-blockers, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, and chloramphenicol 10,11 . Topically applied ophthalmic medications can enter the systemic circulation either via direct absorption through the conjunctiva or through the nasal mucosa following drainage through the lachrymal ducts.…”