Home/Medicines/Chloramphenicol

Chloramphenicol

PrescriptionCDSCO approved

Amphenicol antibiotic

Last reviewed 19 Apr 2026 · PetCare.AI Editorial Team

Species

Dog, Cat

Brands

3 available

Interactions

4 documented

Formulations

Mechanism of action

Inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding reversibly to the 50S ribosomal subunit; bacteriostatic; broad-spectrum including anaerobes and intracellular organisms

At a glance

Class

Amphenicol antibiotic

Schedule

Prescription

Storage

Store below 25°C, protect from light and moisture

CDSCO (India)

Vet-approved — 1960-01

Dosing

🐕

Dog

Susceptible infections (CNS, ocular, rickettsial)

Dose

25–50 mg/kg

Route

PO, IV, IM

Frequency

TID (q8h)

Max dose

2000 mg/dose; 6000 mg/day

Duration: 7–14 days

🐈

Cat

Susceptible infections (avoid if alternatives exist)

Dose

12.5–25 mg/kg

Route

PO, IV

Frequency

BID (q12h)

Max dose

250 mg/dose; 500 mg/day

Duration: 7–14 days; cats metabolize slowly

Educational reference only

This information is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before administering any medication to your pet. Find a vet near you →

Formulations

💊

Capsule — 2

Strength

250mg

Available in India

Strength

500mg

Available in India

💉

Injection (sodium succinate) — 1

Strength

1g vial

Available in India

💊

Eye drops — 1

Strength

0.5%

Available in India

Storage

Store below 25°C, protect from light and moisture

Safety

Absolute contraindications — do not use

Neonatal animals
Gray baby syndrome equivalent
Known bone marrow suppression

Use with caution

Hepatic insufficiency
Reduced metabolism
Human handler safety
Risk of idiosyncratic aplastic anaemia in humans handling the drug — wear gloves

Adverse effects

Common

Anorexia

Vomiting

Diarrhoea

Serious

Dose-dependent bone marrow suppression

Aplastic anaemia (idiosyncratic, mainly humans)

Optic neuritis

Monitoring parameters

CBC (weekly during treatment)Reticulocyte countHepatic function

Educational reference only

Interactions

Major — 1

Cyclophosphamide

major

Chloramphenicol inhibits hepatic CYP enzymes required to activate cyclophosphamide prodrug, reducing its antineoplastic efficacy.

Management: Avoid concurrent use. Use alternative antibiotic during cyclophosphamide chemotherapy.

Moderate — 3

Phenobarbital

moderate

Chloramphenicol inhibits hepatic enzymes, increasing phenobarbital levels; phenobarbital may reduce chloramphenicol levels

Management: Monitor phenobarbital levels. Dose adjustments may be needed.

Clindamycin

moderate

Both bind overlapping sites on 50S ribosomal subunit. Concurrent use causes competitive antagonism reducing efficacy of both.

Management: Do not combine. Choose one based on susceptibility.

Erythromycin

moderate

Macrolides and chloramphenicol bind overlapping 50S ribosomal sites. Competitive antagonism.

Management: Do not combine.

Educational reference only

Brands

International

Chloromycetin

Pfizer

India

Paraxin

Glaxo

Chlor-Vet

Intas

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

›What is Chloramphenicol?

Chloramphenicol is a amphenicol antibiotic used in pets. Inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding reversibly to the 50S ribosomal subunit; bacteriostatic; broad-spectrum including anaerobes and intracellular organisms

›What is Chloramphenicol used for in pets?

Chloramphenicol is used in veterinary medicine for: Susceptible infections (CNS, ocular, rickettsial); Susceptible infections (avoid if alternatives exist).

›What is the Chloramphenicol dose for dogs?

For dogs, Chloramphenicol is typically dosed as follows — Susceptible infections (CNS, ocular, rickettsial): 25–50 mg/kg PO/IV/IM TID (q8h). Always consult your veterinarian for a dose tailored to your pet's weight, age, and condition.

›What is the Chloramphenicol dose for cats?

For cats, Chloramphenicol is typically dosed as follows — Susceptible infections (avoid if alternatives exist): 12.5–25 mg/kg PO/IV BID (q12h). Always consult your veterinarian for a dose tailored to your pet's weight, age, and condition.

›What are the side effects of Chloramphenicol?

Common: Anorexia, Vomiting, Diarrhoea. Serious (call your vet immediately): Dose-dependent bone marrow suppression, Aplastic anaemia (idiosyncratic, mainly humans), Optic neuritis.

›Does Chloramphenicol need a prescription?

Yes. Chloramphenicol is a prescription medication and should only be administered under veterinary supervision.

›When should Chloramphenicol not be used?

Do not use Chloramphenicol if: Neonatal animals; Known bone marrow suppression.

Educational reference only

References

The PetCare.AI drug reference is built from 13 authoritative sources cited across 580 drug monographs.

Textbooks & handbooks — 5

Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook
Withrow & MacEwen's Small Animal Clinical Oncology
Merck Veterinary Manual
NRC Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats
Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics (Riviere & Papich)

Clinical guidelines & consensus — 4

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Guidelines
AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines
ASPCA Poison Control Guidelines
RECOVER CPR Guidelines

Journals & peer-reviewed studies — 2

EPIC Study (J Vet Intern Med 2016)
JVIM FAT CAT Study

Regulatory & approvals — 1

CDSCO Veterinary Drug Approval Registry (1969–2026)

Databases — 1

Washington State University VCPL MDR1 Database

Related medicines

Other medicines in the same class (Amphenicol antibiotic).

Florfenicol

Inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit; bacteriostatic; does not cause aplastic anaemia unlike chloramphenicol

dogcat