Posology

The dose administered and the concentration used is dependent on the severity of the infection. The recommended standard dosage is as follows:

Adults : The equivalent of 1 g of chloramphenicol every 6-8 hours.

Elderly : The usual adult dosage should be given subject to normal hepatic and renal function.

Children : The equivalent of 50 mg/kg chloramphenicol according to body weight, daily in divided doses every 6 hours (this dose should not be exceeded). The patient should be carefully observed for signs of toxicity.

Neonates and Premature Infants : 25 mg/kg in divided doses.

Only 10% or lower concentrations to be used. The 10% solution can be prepared by extracting 5ml of the 20% solution and adding 5ml of diluent (Water for Injections, Sodium Chloride Injection or Dextrose Injection 5%) under aseptic conditions.

The 10 % solution should be given by intravenous injection over a period of about a minute, or in a larger volume of fluid, by slow intravenous infusion. The concurrent administration of intravenous Kemicetine succinate with topical treatment has been found to be very effective in the treatment of osteomyelitic foci, abscesses, empyema and skin and urinary infections.

In exceptional cases, such as patients with septicaemia or meningitis, dosage schedule up to 100 mg/kg/day may be prescribed. However, these high doses should be decreased as soon as clinically indicated. To prevent relapses treatment should be continued after the temperature has returned to normal for 4 days in rickettsial diseases and for 8 - 10 days in typhoid fever.

Method of administration

To be given by intravenous or intramuscular injection.

In order to ensure rapid attainment of high blood levels, Kemicetine succinate is best administered by intravenous injection. Where this is not possible, however, intramuscular administration may be used, although it should be borne in mind that absorption may be slow and unpredictable.

3. Contraindications