Infections due to Salmonella sp, H. influenzae (especially meningeal infections), rickettsia, lymphogranuloma-psittacosis, gm -ve bacteria causing bacteremia meningitis.
Dosage/Direction for Use
Adult & childn 50 mg/kg daily in 3-4 divided doses.
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity. Patients w/ severe liver & kidney dysfunction. Not for prophylaxis of bacterial infection & treatment of trivial infections, pharyngitis, & flu.
Special Precautions
May cause fatal aplastic anemia, therefore this drug should not be indicated for mild infections, eg, cough, flu, sore throat; prophylaxis of bacterial infection; infections due to uncertain cause, except severe infections eg, suspected typhoid fever or rickettsia infections, meningitis in childn. Perform blood count prior to administration. Discontinue treatment when blood cell count result is reduced significantly; reticulocytopenia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia or anemia occur. Avoid prolonged use; co-administration w/ other drugs which may cause myelosuppression. Possible bacterial or fungal superinfection. Pregnancy & lactation. For the infection with clearly known cause only. Patients w/ impaired renal function (dose should be adjusted). Use in premature babies & newborns (1st 2 wk) to avoid gray syndrome.
Adverse Reactions
Blood dyscrasia eg, aplastic anemia, hypoplastic anemia, thrombocytopenia, & granulocytopenia; hypersensitivity reactions eg, rash, urticaria, anaphylaxis (rare), fever, angioderma; GI disturbance eg, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, glossitis & stomatitis; Gray syndrome may occur in premature babies & newborns (<4 wk); bacterial & fungal superinfection may occur during treatment, especially in long term therapy; headache, mental depression, optic neuritis.
Co-administration w/ chloramphenicol may cause cross-resistance. Drugs that are also metabolized by liver microsomal enzymes eg, dicumarol, phenytoin, tolbutamide, phenobarb.
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