A GUIDE FOR PATIENTS

Kemicetine® Succinate Injection

Chloramphenicol sodium succinate equivalent to 1 g chloramphenicol INN

Powder for Injection

What is your medicine?

The name of your medicine is Kemicetine Succinate Injection. Each vial contains a freeze-dried powder containing the equivalent of 1 g chloramphenicol.

Kemicetine Succinate Injection is available as single vials.

Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic, which is effective against a wide variety of infective organisms and viruses.

How does your medicine work?

Chloramphenicol prevents bacteria making an essential nutrient required for growth and multiplication. In time, the number of bacteria are reduced and the infection is controlled.

What is your medicine for?

Kemicetine Succinate Injection is used to treat severe infections such as typhoid and meningitis. It is also used when oral chloramphenicol cannot be used or when higher blood levels are needed.

Before you are given your medicine, tell your doctor if

• You have had an allergic reaction (e.g. rash, wheezing) to chloramphenicol before.
• You are pregnant, or are breast feeding.
• You have a history of kidney or liver disease.
• You are taking any other medicines, in particular anticoagulants of the coumarin-type (to thin your blood or stop it clotting), antidiabetic agents (e.g. tolbutamide), phenytoin, phenobarbital or rifampicin (an antibiotic).
• You have recently been vaccinated.

How should your medicine be given to you?

The Kemicetine Succinate will be made into a solution and be given to you by injection into a vein, or into a muscle by a specialist. Your doctor will prescribe the required amount (the dose). The dose is decided by taking into account your condition being treated.

The usual dosages are; 1 g chloramphenicol every 6-8 hours in adults; 50 mg/kg chloramphenicol every 6 hours in children (no more than this should be given); and 25 mg/kg in divided doses in new-born and premature infants.

The doctor may give you more in certain cases e.g. if you have septicaemia or meningitis (100 mg/kg/day), but should then be decreased as soon as appropriate. Your doctor will decide how long you need to be treated for.

Are there any side-effects?

Like all medicines Kemicetine Succinate Injection will cause some effects in some people. The following may be noticed following treatment with Kemicetine Succinate Injection:

• dry mouth
• nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea
• headache
• depression
• severe allergic reaction e.g. red raised areas on your skin which may look like spots or be several inches across which itch. Sometimes your tongue and lips may also swell up
• blurring or temporary loss of vision
• fungal infection e.g. thrush
• Grey Syndrome – usually in new-born or premature infants, where the skin appears grey, and they are listless and weak
• Inflammation or damage to the nerves causing numbness, tingling, pain or muscle weakness.

Chloramphenicol may slow down development of immunity, and you may develop infections more frequently, which are difficult to fight off.

Blood tests will be carried out to check that your blood is functioning properly, as chloramphenicol can damage your blood cells – you may notice some bruising, develop a fever or feel generally run-down.

If you suffer from any other unwanted effects while receiving your medicine, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.

Looking after your medicine

Your medicine should not be used after the expiry date given on the vial.

Do not store above 25 °C.

Keep container in the outer carton.

Keep out of the reach of children