Chloramphenicol + Dexamethasone Combination

This is a combined antibiotic + steroid eye medication used to treat certain bacterial eye infections with inflammation.

Components and Their Roles

1. Chloramphenicol

   • Type: Broad-spectrum antibiotic

   • Action: Stops bacteria from making proteins, killing or stopping their growth.

   • Purpose in the combo: Treats or prevents bacterial infection in the eye.

2. Dexamethasone

   • Type: Corticosteroid

   • Action: Reduces inflammation, swelling, redness, and irritation.

   • Purpose in the combo: Helps relieve inflammation caused by infection or injury to the eye.

Common Uses

• Bacterial conjunctivitis with significant redness and swelling

• Post-surgical eye inflammation with risk of infection

• Other eye conditions where both infection and inflammation need treatment

Advantages

• Treats infection and relieves symptoms like redness, pain, and swelling at the same time.

• Helps prevent scarring and damage caused by severe inflammation.

Possible Side Effects

From Chloramphenicol:

• Mild stinging or burning

• Rare allergic reaction

• Very rarely, bone marrow suppression (mostly with long-term use)

From Dexamethasone:

• Risk of increased eye pressure (glaucoma) with prolonged use

• Can delay wound healing

• May mask or worsen viral or fungal eye infections if misused

Precautions

• Should be used only under medical supervision, since steroids in the eye can have serious side effects if misused.

• Avoid long-term use unless prescribed — prolonged steroid use can raise eye pressure or cause cataracts.

• Do not use if the eye infection is caused by a virus or fungus, as steroids can make those worse.