chloramphenicol for under 2s

[Frostysnowlady]

My ds is 11 months. He's had a sticky eye on and off since birth. Anyway this week his eye was glued shut and weeping green and yellow gunk. Always just done the cooled boiled water or breastmilk.
Dr prescribed golden eye chloramphenicol eye ointment. In bold it says do not use for under 2s. I know there was some medical discussion of the eye drops containing boron which can cause infertility hence why they wanted to suspend use for under 2s. I don't think the eye ointment has boron but it still says no use for under 2s.

I have been using it but it's playing in my mind. Does anyone know why you need a prescription for under 2s for the eye ointment??

Chloramphenicol is only licensed for sale for children over 2. I've just checked the BNF for children and it says it’s okay for under 2s on prescription. It’s been look d into and the MHRA decided the exposure to boron was minimal and the benefits outweighed the risks.

@HunterAngel thank you. That's what I'm struggling to understand. Why it's OK on prescription but not OTC?

Is it because risk is still present and should only be used only in severe circumstance?

I'm using it just hate the thought of any harm being caused real or precautionary

Because on prescription use is monitored, a gp could check medical records and see when it was last prescribed. OTC you could be using it every week without medical supervision. As it’s an antibiotic use should really be minimal to prevent antibiotic resistance. DS had problems with sticky eyes for ages, had to use chloramphenicol twice and oral antibiotics as well but it finally cleared up just after his first birthday. Hopefully your DS will grow out of it soon

@HunterAngel that makes sense and is helpful thank you so much. My ds is 1 next week. Really thought his blocked duct would of got better by now. He has a referall letter to eye consultant for potential surgery but your post is giving me renewed hope that perhaps it may still resolve after he turns 1.