Chloramphenicol Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Warnings

Chloramphenicol is also known as: Chloracol, Chloromycetin, Chloromycetin Sodium Succinate

Chloramphenicol Pregnancy Warnings

Chloramphenicol has been assigned pregnancy category C by the FDA. Animal studies have not been reported. There are no controlled data in human pregnancies. Oral chloramphenicol crosses the placenta. While there are no literature reports linking the use of chloramphenicol in pregnancy to birth defects, use late in pregnancy has been associated with adverse effects in the neonate (i.e. gray baby syndrome). Chloramphenicol should only be given during pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk. Use near term is considered contraindicated by some experts.

Chloramphenicol Breastfeeding Warnings

Chloramphenicol is excreted into human milk. Adverse effects have been noted in nursing infants, including refusal of the breast, intestinal gas, and heavy vomiting. In addition, there is a theoretic risk of idiosyncratic bone marrow suppression and Gray Syndrome in the infant. For this reason, use of chloramphenicol during lactation is considered to be of concern by the American Academy of Pediatrics and contraindicated by others. The manufacturer recommends that due to the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, a decision should be made to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

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