Skip to main content

About chloramphenicol

Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic medicine.

It's mainly used to treat eye infections (such as conjunctivitis) and sometimes ear infections.

Chloramphenicol comes as eyedrops or eye ointment. These are available on prescription or to buy from pharmacies.

It also comes as eardrops. These are on prescription only.

The medicine is also given into a vein (intravenously) or as capsules. This treatment is for serious infections and is nearly always given in hospital.

Key facts

  • Chloramphenicol is safe for most adults and children.
  • For most eye infections, you'll usually start to see an improvement within 2 days of using chloramphenicol.
  • For ear infections, you should begin to feel better after a few days.
  • Your eyes may sting for a short time after using the eyedrops or ointment. The eardrops may cause some mild discomfort for a few minutes after using them.
  • If you usually wear contact lenses, do not wear them while you're using chloramphenicol eyedrops or ointment

Page last reviewed: 9 February 2022
Next review due: 9 February 2025