Chloramphenicol - Not so innocuous: A case of optic neuritis

Abstract

The authors present a case of optic neuritis in an adult patient who had been self-prescribing extraordinarily large dosages of chloramphenicol for chronic prostatitis over several years. The visual symptoms resolved upon cessation of the drug and prescription of B group vitamins. Chloramphenicol optic neuritis has not been described in the literature for over 20 years and previously predominantly in children with cystic fibrosis. Copyright 2011 BMJ Publishing Group. All rights reserved.