What it means
An old antibiotic that stops bacteria from making proteins. It works against many kinds of bacteria but can damage the bone marrow, rarely causing aplastic anemia, in which the marrow stops making blood cells, even after the drug is stopped. Newborns cannot break it down well and can develop "gray baby syndrome": gray skin, a swollen belly, low blood pressure and collapse. In the US it is given IV, and only when nothing safer will work.
For the nurse
Expect blood counts before and often during treatment. Report sore throat, fever, pale skin, tiredness, or unusual bruising or bleeding.
At a glance
| Drug class | antibiotic |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Chloromycetin |
| Spanish | cloranfenicol |
Related terms
anemia
A lower than normal number of red blood cells or amount of hemoglobin in the blood.
antibiotic
A drug that kills bacteria or stops them from growing.
bone marrow
The soft, spongy tissue inside bones that makes blood cells.