Delayed Clearance of Chloramphenicol from Serum in Patients with Hematologic Toxicity

The clearance of chloramphenicol from serum was studied in 18 patients. A significantly impaired clearance was found in all patients who manifested erythropoietic toxicity. Seven of the 18 patients were tested before chloramphenicol therapy was started. From these results it was possible to predict the patients who would subsequently develop hematologic toxicity. Therefore, prior testing with chloramphenicol may be valuable in screening adults susceptible to hematologic toxicity when the use of this drug is contemplated.