Systematic risks from chloramphenicol eye drops.

摘要

A recent paper criticised the use of topical antibiotics for acute infective conjunctivitis,1 with which I would strongly agree. However, there was no mention of an important contraindication to chloramphenicol eye drops: the risk of systematic complications from absorption into the general circulation of the drug through the conjunctival, nasal, and naso-pharyngeal mucosae. That would be expected anyway on obvious logical grounds. Indeed, one should always consider possible systematic effects from any and every topical applications, particularly in children, and pregnant and lactating women. Of course, .chloramphenicol is very rarely used systematically because of the risk of toxicity.