Drug interactions
Chloramphenicol + Oxacillin
Severity: Moderate
Chloramphenicol and Oxacillin: 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 is bacteriostatic and may blunt the bactericidal activity of beta-lactams such as oxacillin. This antagonism is seen mainly in vitro and in some serious infections such as meningitis, and clinical data are limited.
What this interaction means in plain words
Chloramphenicol and Oxacillin 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 belongs to Anti Bacterial; Oxacillin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic antagonism: bacteriostatic inhibition of protein synthesis reduces bacterial growth, on which beta-lactam killing depends.
What to do
Avoid combining where possible in serious infections such as endocarditis or meningitis. If both are needed, monitor clinical response closely and consider an alternative regimen.
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?
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Other interactions of Oxacillin
- Bcg vaccine live + Oxacillin Moderate
- Cholera vaccine + Oxacillin Moderate
- Demeclocycline + Oxacillin Moderate
- Doxycycline + Oxacillin Moderate
- Microbiota + Oxacillin Moderate
- Minocycline + Oxacillin Moderate
Other interactions of Chloramphenicol
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Chloramphenicol with Oxacillin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Chloramphenicol and Oxacillin 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 is bacteriostatic and may blunt the bactericidal activity of beta-lactams such as oxacillin. This antagonism is seen mainly in vitro and in some serious infections such as meningitis, and clinical data are limited.
How serious is the interaction between Chloramphenicol and Oxacillin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid combining where possible in serious infections such as endocarditis or meningitis. If both are needed, monitor clinical response closely and consider an alternative regimen.
What other medicines interact with Oxacillin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Oxacillin with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Cholera vaccine, Demeclocycline. The full list is on the Oxacillin page.
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