Oral Chloromycetin

Abstract

The recent study by Yogev et al1 nicely demonstrates that therapeutic concentrations of chloramphenicol in serum and CSF are achieved following oral administration of chloramphenicol palmitate. However, the authors' pharmacokinetic interpretation of their data is open to question. The apparent longer half-life and higher mean peak and trough serum concentrations most likely reflect greater bioavailability and prolonged absorption of the oral dosage form compared to the intravenous preparation rather than a difference in elimination half-life.