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Chloramphenicol eye drops: ok to use in children younger than 2 years
Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin
|July 20, 2021
Insights
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency advises against using chloramphenicol eye drops with borax or boric acid buffers in children under two years old. This is due to potential safety concerns and the availability of safer alternatives for pediatric eye infections.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacovigilance
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Medicine
Background:
- Chloramphenicol eye drops are used for bacterial conjunctivitis.
- Borax or boric acid buffers are sometimes included in these formulations.
- Concerns exist regarding the safety of these buffered eye drops in young children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the safety of chloramphenicol eye drops containing borax or boric acid buffers.
- To provide guidance on the use of these eye drops in children younger than 2 years.
- To inform healthcare professionals about potential risks and alternatives.
Main Methods:
- Review of safety data and regulatory assessments.
- Analysis of adverse event reports.
- Consultation with expert groups.
Main Results:
- The use of chloramphenicol eye drops with borax or boric acid buffers in children under 2 years is associated with potential risks.
- Safer and equally effective alternative treatments are available for this age group.
- Regulatory bodies recommend restricting or avoiding the use of these specific formulations in infants and toddlers.
Conclusions:
- Healthcare professionals should avoid prescribing chloramphenicol eye drops containing borax or boric acid buffers for children under 2 years.
- Alternative antibiotic eye drops should be considered for treating bacterial eye infections in this population.
- Continued monitoring of pediatric eye infection treatments is essential.
Abstract:
Overview of: Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Chloramphenicol eye drops containing borax or boric acid buffers: use in children younger than 2 years. Drug Safety Update 2021;14:1.
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