Systemic absorption of chloramphenicol eye drops

Chloramphenicol blood levels were measured in 11 patients receiving chloramphenicol eye drops for a period from 9-19 days. Peripheral blood counts were also examined before and after therapy. Chloramphenicol was detected in the plasma of all the 11 patients. Levels above the lower limit of laboratory measurements were found in 7 of the 11 patients [Range 2.5-5 mg/mI]. There was no change in the peripheral blood count following the use of the drug. The bone marrow aplasia reported with topical chloramphenicol drops is most likely to be due to idiosyncratic reaction rather than direct dose related reaction