chloramphenicol Third trimester eye drops

[LottieLou3]

Hi

Currently have conjunctivitis from my toddler. He’s been treated with chloramphenicol. I’m 36 weeks pregnant

My gp wouldn’t give me chloramphenicol as risk of something called grey baby syndrome. The alternative treatment fusidic acid was not available due to supply issues in china. I don’t know what to do. It’s getting worse and from what I read online chloramphenicol is only risky if taking IV or orally not the eye drops.

Anyone have any experience with this?

Hi, I’m a dispensing optician, to be honest the efficacy of using chloramphenicol is not totally proven to be useful. Conjunctivitis usually will clear by itself within a couple of weeks if good hygiene routines are followed. Boil wash all towels etc and bedding such as pillows. Use cool boiled water to clean from the inside to outside, always seperate for each eye. It’s bloody annoying I know. Pretty sure drops such as hycosan dual are safe during pregnancy and they would help aid comfort. They are a little more expensive but much better and more effective than the cheap drops and are preservative free. Hope it clears quickly for you.

Thanks so much for your response. I will try and get some hycosan dual. I had conjunctivitis badly 10 years ago and was nearly sent straight to the eye hospital in london so I am quite concerned and want it to clear up quickly.

Oh bless you it can be really horrid! If you develop anything like photophobia, pain or changes to vision and symptoms don’t start to improve after 10-14 days book in with your optician or GP. Hope it clears quickly. X