CHLORAMPHENICOL AND IRON
In addition to the serious and potentially fatal bone marrow depression that can occur with chloramphenicol, it may also cause a milder, reversible bone marrow depression, which can oppose the treatment of anaemia with iron.
It has been suggested that chloramphenicol dosages of 25 to 30 mg/kg are usually adequate for treating infections without running the risk of elevating serum levels to 25 micrograms/mL or more, which is when this type of marrow depression can occur. Monitor the effects of using iron concurrently. Where possible it would be preferable to use a different antibacterial.
It has been suggested that chloramphenicol dosages of 25 to 30 mg/kg are usually adequate for treating infections without running the risk of elevating serum levels to 25 micrograms/mL or more, which is when this type of marrow depression can occur. Monitor the effects of using iron concurrently. Where possible it would be preferable to use a different antibacterial.