Chloramphenicol+dexamethasone
About
Chloramphenicol+dexamethasone belongs to the class of medications called ‘antibiotics' and 'steroids' used for the treatment of the bacterial eye or ear infections. It is used to treat eye infections such as conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva) and ear infections such as otitis media (middle ear infections) in children with ear tubes and otitis externa (outer ear infections) in adults and children.
Chloramphenicol+dexamethasone is a combination of two medicines: Chloramphenicol and Dexamethasone. Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic that acts by interfering with the formation of essential proteins required for bacterial growth. Dexamethasone is a steroid that reduces inflammation and symptoms associated with infection, such as redness and irritation. It works by inhibiting the chemicals such as prostaglandins that cause inflammation.
Use Chloramphenicol+dexamethasone as prescribed by your doctor. The common side-effects of Chloramphenicol+dexamethasone are burning/stinging sensation or redness, temporary blurred vision, watery eyes, eye discomfort, eye irritation, increased sensitivity to light, and ear discomfort (when used as ear drops). Most of these side effects of Chloramphenicol+dexamethasone do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. If these side effects persist longer, please consult your doctor.
Do not use Chloramphenicol+dexamethasone if you are allergic to any of its contents. Before using Chloramphenicol+dexamethasone, inform your doctor if you have fungal infections, viral infections, such as herpes simplex or varicella, or parasitic infections such as amoebiasis. Do not use Chloramphenicol+dexamethasone if you have tuberculosis, damaged cornea, ulceration, lesions with missing skin that cover the eye or ear, and increased pressure inside the eye. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should use Chloramphenicol+dexamethasone with proper consultation and caution.
Uses of Chloramphenicol+dexamethasone
Medicinal Benefits
Chloramphenicol+dexamethasone is a combination of two medicines: Chloramphenicol and Dexamethasone. Chloramphenicol is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that acts against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. It acts by interfering with the formation of essential proteins required for bacterial growth. Dexamethasone is a steroid medicine with anti-inflammatory properties and acts by inhibiting the chemicals such as prostaglandins that cause inflammation. It also reduces symptoms associated with infection, such as redness and irritation.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Chloramphenicol+dexamethasone
- Burning/stinging sensation
- Redness
- Temporary blurred vision
- Watery eyes
- Eye discomfort
- Eye irritation
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Ear discomfort (when used as ear drops)
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Before using Chloramphenicol+dexamethasone, inform your doctor if you have vision problems, severe pain in the eye, sensitivity to light, inflammation of the eye, a rash on the scalp or face, the black or coloured part of the eye looks unusual, foreign body in the eye, recurrent eye infection, glaucoma (raised pressure in the eye), dry eyes, eye injury or eye surgery, or if you are using any other eye drops or eye ointment. It is advised to check with your doctor before using Chloramphenicol+dexamethasone if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Avoid driving, or operating machines since the administration of eye drops may cause temporary blurred vision. Chloramphenicol+dexamethasone should be used for children only when advised by a doctor.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Chloramphenicol+dexamethasone may interact with an anti-cancer agent (methotrexate), immunosuppressant (azathioprine), antiviral drug (ritonavir), and a medication used to treat HIV (cobicistat).
Drug-Food Interaction: No interactions found.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Inform your doctor if you have any fungal infection, viral infection, such as herpes simplex or varicella, parasitic infection, tuberculosis, damaged cornea, ulceration, and glaucoma (increased pressure inside the eye) before starting Chloramphenicol+dexamethasone.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAlcohol may affect your ability to fight infections. So, it is recommended to avoid alcohol until your condition improves.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant or already pregnant before starting Chloramphenicol+dexamethasone.
Breast Feeding
cautionChloramphenicol+dexamethasone should be used with caution in breastfeeding women.
Driving
cautionChloramphenicol+dexamethasone may affect your vision. So, do not drive or operate heavy machinery until your vision is clear.
Liver
cautionChloramphenicol+dexamethasone should be used with caution in patients with liver diseases.
Kidney
cautionChloramphenicol+dexamethasone should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases.
Children
cautionChloramphenicol+dexamethasone should be used for children only when advised by a doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
Ear infections:
- Manage stress, eat healthily, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep.
- Eat food rich in antioxidants such as berries, spinach, kidney beans, dark chocolate, etc.
- Know your allergy triggers, such as pollen, dust and other factors.
- Avoid getting things like shampoo, soap, and water into the ear as it can cause itching.
- Do not poke or scratch the ear as it can cause damage to the ear canal, leading to inflammation. The inflamed skin can be infected by bacteria or fungi, which can cause infections in the ear.
Eye infections:
- Do not rub your eyes even though some ophthalmic drugs make your eye itchy.
- If you wear contact lenses: Clean and replace contact lenses more often. Never share contact lenses. Always remember to wash your hands before inserting and after removing the contact lens.
- Avoid staring at the digital screens for longer durations. Rest your eyes every 20 minutes.
- Avoid or limit the intake of alcohol and caffeine.
Special Advise
Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight while using Chloramphenicol+dexamethasone as it may cause increased photosensitivity (sensitivity to light).
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Bacterial eye infection: A bacterial eye infection occurs when bacteria invade any part of the eyeball or its surrounding tissues, including the cornea (clear front surface of the eye) and the conjunctiva (thin membrane lining the outer eye and inner eyelids). A bacterial eye infection symptoms include red eyes, pain, swelling of the eyes, watery eyes, itching, and blurry vision. Some very common eye infections are conjunctivitis (the inflammation and irritation of the eye's mucous membrane (conjunctiva), stye (bump on the eyelid), uveitis (inflammation of the uvea-middle layer of the eye), marginal keratitis (inflammation of the cornea), and blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids).
Bacterial ear infection: Bacterial ear infection occurs when bacteria infect the outer or middle ear. The most common bacterial strains that cause ear infections are Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenza. Symptoms include ear ache (sharp, sudden pain or a dull, continuous pain), feeling of fullness in the ear, ear drainage, and muffled hearing. Treatment may include over-the-counter painkillers, anti-allergic drugs, antibiotics, and steroids.
FAQs
Chloramphenicol+dexamethasone is a combination of two medicines: Chloramphenicol and Dexamethasone. Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic that stops the growth of infection-causing bacteria. Dexamethasone is an anti-inflammatory medicine that reduces symptoms associated with infection such as redness and irritation.
You must maintain at least a 20-30 minutes gap after application of Chloramphenicol+dexamethasone if you are using more than one ear drop formulation.
It is advised to remove your contact lens if you are wearing it while administering eye drops. Also, remember to wash your hands before and after administering eye drops to avoid contamination.
If you use other eye ointments/drops along with Chloramphenicol+dexamethasone, it is advised to maintain a gap of at least 5-10 minutes after each administration. Also, use eye drops before applying any ointments.
