Chloramphenicol Use
Chloramphenicol inhibits protein synthesis (of bacterial and mammalian cells) by binding to ribosomes and is toxic to both bacteria and people. In tolerated doses, it is bactericidal for Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria meningitidis and is bacteriostatic against Streptococcus pneumoniae, Salmonella, Shigella and streptococci. Most Pseudomonas are resistant. Its effectiveness against Gram-negative enteric rods is variable. It is active against virtually all anerobes.
For oral use, chloramphenicol is available in capsules of crystalline chloramphenicol and a suspension of the palmitate ester. For intravenous use, it is available as the sodium succinate ester. When given as an ester (either orally or intravenously), the first step in metabolism is the hydrolysis of the ester bond.
