Penicillin V with Chloramphenicol Interaction Details
Brand Names Associated with Chloramphenicol
- Chloramphenicol Injection
- Chloromycetin® Injection
- Mychel-S® Injection
Medical Content Editor Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Last updated
Jan 04, 2024
Interaction Effect
Decreased antibacterial effectiveness
Interaction Summary
Although there is in vivo and in vitro evidence that chloramphenicol may antagonize the bactericidal action of penicillin, this is only clinically significant in a few situations. Clinical evidence of this interaction has not been adequately evaluated. In fact, there are several studies using chloramphenicol with ampicillin indicating that a combination of chloramphenicol and ampicillin is superior to chloramphenicol alone.
Severity
Minor
Onset
Delayed
Evidence
Theoretical
How To Manage Interaction
Monitor signs of antibacterial effectiveness.
Mechanism Of Interaction
Antagonism of antibacterial efficacy
Literature Reports
A) Chloramphenicol is a bacteriostatic antibiotic which acts by inhibiting the function of messenger RNA. Penicillin is a bactericidal antibiotic which acts by inhibiting a specific step in cell wall synthesis; penicillin exerts its greatest activity during the early phase of bacterial growth. When bacterial growth is inhibited, the activity of penicillin may be considerably reduced . In addition, it has been recommended that in bacterial meningitis in children older than two months, chloramphenicol be given concomitantly with ampicillin until results of cultures and sensitivity tests are known . Overall, the significance of the interaction of penicillin and chloramphenicol is questionable. Therapy in patients where chloramphenicol and a penicillin is warranted may be initiated. However, studies have suggested that in certain cases of Listeria meningitis, the opsonization of the CSF became inefficient .
Chloramphenicol Overview
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Chloramphenicol injection is used to treat certain types of serious infections caused by bacteria when other antibiotics cannot be used. Chloramphenicol injection is in a class of medications called antibiotics. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria..
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Antibiotics such as chloramphenicol injection will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Taking antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.
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Definitions
Severity Categories
Contraindicated
These drugs, generally, should not be used together simultaneously due to the high risk of severe adverse effects. Combining these medications can lead to dangerous health outcomes and should be strictly avoided unless otherwise instructed by your provider.
Major
This interaction could result in very serious and potentially life-threatening consequences. If you are taking this drug combination, it is very important to be under close medical supervision to minimize severe side effects and ensure your safety. It may be necessary to change a medication or dosage to prevent harm.
Moderate
This interaction has the potential to worsen your medical condition or alter the effectiveness of your treatment. It's important that you are monitored closely and you potentially may need to make adjustments in your treatment plan or drug dosage to maintain optimal health.
Minor
While this interaction is unlikely to cause significant problems, it could intensify side effects or reduce the effectiveness of one or both medications. Monitoring for changes in symptoms and your condition is recommended, and adjustments may be made if needed to manage any increased or more pronounced side effects.
Onset
Rapid: Onset of drug interaction typically occurs within 24 hours of co-administration.
Delayed: Onset of drug interaction typically occurs more than 24 hours after co-administration.
Evidence
Level of documentation of the interaction.
Established: The interaction is documented and substantiated in peer-reviewed medical literature.
Theoretical: This interaction is not fully supported by current medical evidence or well-documented sources, but it is based on known drug mechanisms, drug effects, and other relevant information.
How To Manage The Interaction
Provides a detailed discussion on how patients and clinicians can approach the identified drug interaction as well as offers guidance on what to expect and strategies to potentially mitigate the effects of the interaction. This may include recommendations on adjusting medication dosages, altering the timing of drug administration, or closely monitoring for specific symptoms.
It's important to note that all medical situations are unique, and management approaches should be tailored to individual circumstances. Patients should always consult their healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance on managing drug interactions effectively.
Mechanism Of Interaction
The theorized or clinically determined reason (i.e., mechanism) why the drug-drug interaction occurs.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding your specific circumstances and medical conditions.
Where Does Our Information Come From?
Information for our drug interactions is compiled from several drug compendia, including:
The prescribing information for each drug, as published on DailyMED, is also used.
Individual drug-drug interaction detail pages contain references specific to that interaction. You can click on the reference number within brackets '[]' to see what reference was utilized.
The information posted is fact-checked by HelloPharmacist clinicians and reviewed quarterly.