Chloramphenicol sodium succinate

Chloramphenicol sodium succinate is the sodium succinate ester of chloramphenicol, a broad-spectrum antibiotic that was first isolated from the bacterium Streptomyces venezuelae in 1947. It is primarily used in the treatment of a variety of bacterial infections, including those caused by Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms, as well as anaerobic bacteria.

Chemistry

Chloramphenicol sodium succinate is a white to off-white crystalline powder. It is freely soluble in water and has a molecular weight of 588.98. The chemical name for chloramphenicol sodium succinate is D-threo-(-)-2,2-Dichloro-N-[β-hydroxy-α-(hydroxymethyl)-p-nitrophenethyl]acetamide α-(sodium succinate).

Pharmacology

Chloramphenicol sodium succinate is inactive until it is hydrolyzed to free chloramphenicol in the body. Once activated, it works by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome, thereby preventing the addition of new amino acids to the growing peptide chain.

Clinical Use

Chloramphenicol sodium succinate is used in the treatment of serious infections caused by susceptible strains of microorganisms. These include meningitis, rickettsial disease, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. It is also used in the treatment of typhoid fever and other Salmonella infections, as well as certain eye infections.

Side Effects

The use of chloramphenicol sodium succinate can lead to several side effects, including bone marrow suppression, aplastic anemia, and Gray syndrome in newborns. It can also cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Precautions

Chloramphenicol sodium succinate should be used with caution in patients with impaired liver or kidney function. It should not be used in minor infections or when less potentially dangerous antibiotics are effective.

See Also

• Chloramphenicol
• Antibiotics
• Bacterial Infections