• Chlorocap indications
• Uses of Chlorocap in details
• Chlorocap description
• Chlorocap dosage
• Chlorocap interactions
• Chlorocap side effects
• Chlorocap contraindications

What is Chlorocap?

Chlorocap belongs to the family of medicines called antibiotics. Chlorocap ophthalmic preparations are used to treat infections of the eye. Chlorocap may be given alone or with other medicines that are taken by mouth for eye infections.

Chlorocap is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Chlorocap indications

Chlorocap should be used only in those serious infections for which less potentially dangerous drugs are ineffective or contraindicated. Bacteriological studies should be performed to determine the causative organisms and their sensitivity to Chlorocap.

Chlorocap, 1% (Chlorocap Ophthalmic Ointment, USP) is indicated for the treatment of surface ocular infections involving the conjunctiva and/or cornea caused by Chlorocap-susceptible organisms.

The particular antiinfective drug in this product is active against the following common bacterial eye pathogens:

Staphylococcus aureus

Streptococcus, including Streptococcus pneumoniae

Escherichia coli

Haemophilus influenzae

Klebsiella/Enterobacter species

Moraxella lucunata

(Morax-Axenfeld bacillus)

Neisseria species

This product does not provide adequate coverage against:

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Serratia marcescens

How should I use Chlorocap?

Use Chlorocap as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Chlorocap is usually administered as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you are using Chlorocap at home, carefully follow the injection procedures taught to you by your health care provider.
• If Chlorocap contains particles or is discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged in any way, do not use it.
• To clear up your infection completely, continue using Chlorocap for the full course of treatment even if you feel better in a few days.
• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Dispose of properly after use. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain local regulations for proper disposal.
• If you miss a dose of Chlorocap, use it as soon as possible. Then use your doses at evenly spaced times as directed by your doctor. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Chlorocap.

Uses of Chlorocap in details

Use: Labeled Indications

Serious infections: Treatment of serious infections, including cystic fibrosis exacerbations, bacterial meningitis, and bacteremia, caused by Chlamydiaceae, Haemophilus influenzae, Rickettsia, Salmonella spp. (acute infections), and other organisms when other less toxic agents are ineffective or contraindicated.

Guideline recommendations: Chlorocap may be considered for use as an alternative agent to doxycycline in the treatment of tickborne rickettsial diseases (eg, Rocky Mountain spotted fever [RMSF]); however, epidemiologic studies suggest that Chlorocap-treated patients with RMSF are at a higher risk of death compared to tetracycline-treated patients. In addition, Chlorocap is not effective in the treatment of human ehrlichiosis or anaplasmosis, therefore, use with caution in the empiric treatment of tickborne rickettsial diseases (CDC [Biggs 2016]).

Chlorocap description

Each 100 g contains Chloramphenicol 1 g.

Chlorocap dosage

Chlorocap Dosage

Generic name: Chlorocap

Dosage form: ophthalmic ointment

The information at Drugs.com is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist.

A small amount of ointment placed in the lower conjunctival sac every three hours, or more frequently if deemed advisable by the prescribing physician. Administration should be continued day and night the first 48 hours, after which the interval between applications may be increased. Treatment should be continued for at least 48 hours after the eye appears normal.

More about Chloromycetin Ophthalmic (Chlorocap ophthalmic)

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Consumer resources

• Other brands: Ocu-Chlor, Chloroptic, AK-Chlor

Professional resources

• Chlorocap (FDA)

Other formulations

• Chloromycetin
• Chloromycetin Sodium Succinate

Chlorocap interactions

Alcohol (Ethyl): Chlorocap (Systemic) may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Alcohol (Ethyl). Monitor therapy

Barbiturates: Chlorocap (Systemic) may decrease the metabolism of Barbiturates. Barbiturates may increase the metabolism of Chlorocap (Systemic). Monitor therapy

BCG (Intravesical): Antibiotics may diminish the therapeutic effect of BCG (Intravesical). Avoid combination

BCG (Intravesical): Myelosuppressive Agents may diminish the therapeutic effect of BCG (Intravesical). Avoid combination

BCG Vaccine (Immunization): Antibiotics may diminish the therapeutic effect of BCG Vaccine (Immunization). Monitor therapy

Carbocisteine: Chlorocap (Systemic) may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Carbocisteine. Specifically, Chlorocap may enhance adverse effects of alcohol that is present in liquid formulations of carbocisteine-containing products. Monitor therapy

CefTAZidime: Chlorocap (Systemic) may diminish the therapeutic effect of CefTAZidime. Management: Consider using a different combination of antimicrobials, especially if bactericidal activity is desired. If these agents are combined, monitor for reduced antimicrobial effectiveness and/or therapeutic failure. Consider therapy modification

Chlorocap (Ophthalmic): May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Myelosuppressive Agents. Monitor therapy

Cholera Vaccine: Antibiotics may diminish the therapeutic effect of Cholera Vaccine. Management: Avoid cholera vaccine in patients receiving systemic antibiotics, and within 14 days following the use of oral or parenteral antibiotics. Avoid combination

Cladribine: May enhance the myelosuppressive effect of Myelosuppressive Agents. Avoid combination

CloZAPine: Myelosuppressive Agents may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of CloZAPine. Specifically, the risk for neutropenia may be increased. Monitor therapy

CycloSPORINE (Systemic): Chlorocap (Systemic) may increase the serum concentration of CycloSPORINE (Systemic). Management: Cyclosporine dose reductions will likely be required with initiation of concurrent Chlorocap. Monitor cyclosporine concentrations and response closely following initiation and/or discontinuation of Chlorocap. Consider therapy modification

Deferiprone: Myelosuppressive Agents may enhance the neutropenic effect of Deferiprone. Management: Avoid the concomitant use of deferiprone and myelosuppressive agents whenever possible. If this combination cannot be avoided, monitor the absolute neutrophil count more closely. Consider therapy modification

Dipyrone: May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Myelosuppressive Agents. Specifically, the risk for agranulocytosis and pancytopenia may be increased Avoid combination

Fosphenytoin: May decrease the serum concentration of Chlorocap (Systemic). Fosphenytoin may increase the serum concentration of Chlorocap (Systemic). Chlorocap (Systemic) may increase the serum concentration of Fosphenytoin. Monitor therapy

Lactobacillus and Estriol: Antibiotics may diminish the therapeutic effect of Lactobacillus and Estriol. Monitor therapy

Mesalamine: May enhance the myelosuppressive effect of Myelosuppressive Agents. Monitor therapy

Phenytoin: May decrease the serum concentration of Chlorocap (Systemic). Phenytoin may increase the serum concentration of Chlorocap (Systemic). Chlorocap (Systemic) may increase the serum concentration of Phenytoin. Monitor therapy

Promazine: May enhance the myelosuppressive effect of Myelosuppressive Agents. Monitor therapy

RifAMPin: May increase the metabolism of Chlorocap (Systemic). Monitor therapy

Sodium Picosulfate: Antibiotics may diminish the therapeutic effect of Sodium Picosulfate. Management: Consider using an alternative product for bowel cleansing prior to a colonoscopy in patients who have recently used or are concurrently using an antibiotic. Consider therapy modification

Sulfonylureas: Chlorocap (Systemic) may decrease the metabolism of Sulfonylureas. Monitor therapy

Tacrolimus (Systemic): Chlorocap (Systemic) may increase the serum concentration of Tacrolimus (Systemic). Management: Tacrolimus dose reductions will likely be required with initiation of concurrent Chlorocap. Monitor tacrolimus concentrations and response closely following initiation and/or discontinuation of Chlorocap. Consider therapy modification

Typhoid Vaccine: Antibiotics may diminish the therapeutic effect of Typhoid Vaccine. Only the live attenuated Ty21a strain is affected. Management: Vaccination with live attenuated typhoid vaccine (Ty21a) should be avoided in patients being treated with systemic antibacterial agents. Use of this vaccine should be postponed until at least 3 days after cessation of antibacterial agents. Consider therapy modification

Vitamin B12: Chlorocap (Systemic) may diminish the therapeutic effect of Vitamin B12. Monitor therapy

Vitamin K Antagonists (eg, warfarin): Chlorocap (Systemic) may enhance the anticoagulant effect of Vitamin K Antagonists. Chlorocap (Systemic) may increase the serum concentration of Vitamin K Antagonists. Monitor therapy

Voriconazole: Chlorocap (Systemic) may increase the serum concentration of Voriconazole. Monitor therapy

Chlorocap side effects

See also:
What are the possible side effects of Chlorocap?

Applies to Chlorocap: capsule, powder for solution, suspension

In addition to its needed effects, some unwanted effects may be caused by Chlorocap (the active ingredient contained in Chlorocap). In the event that any of these side effects do occur, they may require medical attention.

Stop taking Chlorocap and get emergency help immediately if any of the following effects occur:

Rare - in babies only

• Bloated stomach
• drowsiness
• gray skin color
• low body temperature
• uneven breathing
• unresponsiveness

Major Side Effects

You should check with your doctor immediately if any of these side effects occur when taking Chlorocap:

Less common:

• Pale skin
• sore throat and fever
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness (the above side effects may also occur up to weeks or months after you Stop taking Chlorocap)

• Confusion, delirium, or headache
• eye pain, blurred vision, or loss of vision
• numbness, tingling, burning pain, or weakness in the hands or feet
• skin rash, fever, or difficulty in breathing

Minor Side Effects

Some of the side effects that can occur with Chlorocap may not need medical attention. As your body adjusts to the medicine during treatment these side effects may go away. Your health care professional may also be able to tell you about ways to reduce or prevent some of these side effects. If any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome or if you have any questions about them, check with your health care professional:

Less common:

• Diarrhea
• nausea or vomiting

Chlorocap contraindications

See also:
What is the most important information I should know about Chlorocap?

Chlorocap Lotion is contraindicated for premature neonates because their skin may be more permeable than full term infants and their liver enzymes may not be sufficiently developed. It is also contraindicated for patients with Norwegian (crusted) scabies due to possible increased absorption. It is also contraindicated for patients with known seizure disorders and for individuals with a known sensitivity to the product or any of its components.

Active ingredient matches for Chlorocap:

Chloramphenicol

References

1. DailyMed. "CHLORAMPHENICOL: DailyMed provides trustworthy information about marketed drugs in the United States. DailyMed is the official provider of FDA label information (package inserts).". https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailyme... (accessed September 17, 2018).
2. PubChem. "chloramphenicol". https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/com... (accessed September 17, 2018).
3. DrugBank. "chloramphenicol". http://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB00446 (accessed September 17, 2018).

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Information checked by Dr. Sachin Kumar, MD Pharmacology