Drug interactions
Chloramphenicol + Ethotoin
Severity: Moderate
Chloramphenicol and Ethotoin: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Chloramphenicol inhibits hepatic metabolism of hydantoin anticonvulsants such as phenytoin, and a similar effect on ethotoin is plausible. Raised ethotoin levels could cause ataxia, nystagmus and sedation.
What this interaction means in plain words
Chloramphenicol and Ethotoin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Why it happens
Probable inhibition of hepatic oxidative metabolism of ethotoin by chloramphenicol, extrapolated from phenytoin.
What to do
Monitor for signs of ethotoin toxicity and seizure control, and reduce the dose if toxicity appears.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Chloramphenicol and Ethotoin, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Chloramphenicol
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Chloramphenicol with Ethotoin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Chloramphenicol and Ethotoin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Chloramphenicol inhibits hepatic metabolism of hydantoin anticonvulsants such as phenytoin, and a similar effect on ethotoin is plausible. Raised ethotoin levels could cause ataxia, nystagmus and sedation.
How serious is the interaction between Chloramphenicol and Ethotoin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for signs of ethotoin toxicity and seizure control, and reduce the dose if toxicity appears.
What other medicines interact with Chloramphenicol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Chloramphenicol with, for example, Adagrasib, Avapritinib, Bcg vaccine live. The full list is on the Chloramphenicol page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
