Key Facts
- Drug Class
- Antibiotic (topical eye/ear)
- Prescription
- Over the counter
- NAFDAC Status
- NAFDAC Registered
- Forms
- Eye drops, Eye ointment, Ear drops
- Price
- Price varies — check with a pharmacy
- WHO Essential
- Yes
What is Chloramphenicol (eye & ear drops)?
Chloramphenicol eye drops (and eye ointment) are the best-known treatment for eye infections in Nigeria — the medicine most people reach for when an eye turns red, sticky, and gummy. It is an antibiotic applied directly to the eye, sold over the counter as brands like Optachlor and Chloromycetin and as cheap generics, and it is a fixture in every pharmacy and patent medicine store. The same active ingredient is also used as ear drops for some ear infections.
Chloramphenicol works by stopping bacteria from multiplying, which lets the eye's own defences clear the infection. It is used for bacterial conjunctivitis — the red, sore, discharging eye that often crusts the lashes together overnight. In Nigeria this is popularly called 'Apollo', though that name is loosely used for any red eye. An important point: many 'Apollo' outbreaks are actually viral conjunctivitis, which antibiotic drops do not cure; in those cases chloramphenicol is sometimes used to prevent a secondary bacterial infection, but the viral eye largely settles on its own with hygiene.
Chloramphenicol eye drops are inexpensive, widely available, and generally very safe for short-term use. The drops are usually put in frequently for the first couple of days and then less often, for about five days in total. What they are not for is a red eye with pain, blurred vision, or light sensitivity — those features suggest something more serious than simple conjunctivitis and need an eye specialist. Genuine products carry a NAFDAC registration number, worth checking as eye preparations are commonly faked.
What is Chloramphenicol (eye & ear drops) used for?
In Nigeria, Chloramphenicol (eye & ear drops) is commonly used for:
- Bacterial conjunctivitis — red, sore, sticky, discharging eye
- Minor bacterial eye infections and infected eyelids or styes
- Preventing secondary bacterial infection in an irritated or viral 'Apollo' eye
- Some bacterial ear infections when used as ear drops
- Short-term eye-infection first aid available without a prescription
Dosage
IMPORTANT
Always follow your doctor's or pharmacist's instructions. The information below is for general reference only.
Adults
For 0.5% eye drops: put 1 drop into the affected eye every 2 hours for the first 2 days while awake, then 1 drop every 4 hours, for a total of about 5 days. For 1% eye ointment: apply a small amount 3-4 times a day, or at night if also using drops during the day. Continue for 48 hours after the eye looks normal. Wash your hands before and after, and do not let the dropper tip touch the eye or lashes.
Children
Chloramphenicol eye drops can be used in children at the same frequency, but for infants and young children it is best to check with a pharmacist or doctor first, especially in babies. Never share an eye-drop bottle between people, as this spreads infection.
Elderly
Standard dosing applies. Older adults with an eye that is painful, has reduced vision, or is not improving should be seen by a health worker rather than continuing drops.
Use one bottle for one person only, and discard it about 4 weeks after opening — an old, contaminated bottle can make an eye infection worse. If both eyes are affected, use separate drops or wipe carefully to avoid cross-infection. If the eye is no better after 48 hours, or is painful, sensitive to light, or vision is affected, stop self-treating and see an eye specialist. Remove contact lenses while treating an eye infection.
Side Effects
Common side effects
- •Brief stinging or burning when the drops go in
- •Temporary blurred vision just after applying (more with ointment)
- •Mild eye irritation or watering
Serious side effects — seek medical help immediately
- Signs of an allergic reaction: swelling, itching, rash around the eye, or difficulty breathing — stop and seek help
- Worsening redness, pain, or discharge despite treatment
- Any loss or blurring of vision that does not clear
When to see a doctor
See an eye specialist if the eye is painful (not just gritty), if vision is blurred or reduced, if the eye is very sensitive to light, if there is no improvement after 48 hours, or if the problem keeps coming back. A red eye with these 'red flag' features can signal something more serious than conjunctivitis — such as a corneal ulcer, iritis, or glaucoma — which needs proper examination rather than more antibiotic drops.
Warnings & Precautions
Do not take Chloramphenicol (eye & ear drops) if you have:
- Do not use if you are allergic to chloramphenicol
- Do not use for a painful red eye with blurred vision or light sensitivity without seeing an eye specialist first
- Do not use drops that have been open longer than about 4 weeks, or that are shared with others
- Avoid in people with a personal or family history of serious blood disorders linked to chloramphenicol, unless advised by a doctor
Drug interactions
- •As eye or ear drops, very little chloramphenicol is absorbed into the body, so significant drug interactions are rare
- •Do not use two different eye-infection drops at the same time without advice
- •Remove contact lenses during treatment and do not reinsert until the infection has cleared
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Chloramphenicol eye drops are generally considered acceptable for short-term use in pregnancy and breastfeeding because very little is absorbed into the bloodstream, but it is still best to check with a pharmacist or doctor first, particularly near the time of delivery. For a simple sticky eye, careful eye hygiene — bathing the lids with cooled boiled water — is a reasonable first step while you seek advice.
Brands of Chloramphenicol (eye & ear drops) in Nigeria
The NAFDAC registry holds 23 Chloramphenicol (eye & ear drops) products from 20 manufacturers, including combination products and older listings whose status you can check in the full list. Below are some of the most common brands — see the full, searchable list for all of them.
| Brand Name | Manufacturer | Strength | Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optachlor | Various manufacturers | 0.5% | Eye drops |
| Chloromycetin | Pfizer | 0.5%, 1% | Eye drops |
| Chloramphenicol Eye Drops | Various generic manufacturers | 0.5% | Eye drops |
How to Verify Your Chloramphenicol (eye & ear drops) is Genuine
- 1Check the NAFDAC registration number on the bottle or tube — genuine eye and ear preparations in Nigeria must carry a valid NAFDAC number
- 2Verify the NAFDAC number using the NAFDAC Green Book or the NAFDAC mobile app
- 3Buy from licensed pharmacies rather than roadside sellers, as eye drops are commonly counterfeited and a fake or contaminated product can seriously harm the eye
- 4Check the expiry date and that the seal is intact; note the date you open it and discard about 4 weeks later
- 5Genuine drops should be clear (unless a suspension) with no floating particles or discolouration; do not use if the solution looks cloudy or dirty
- 6Make sure the dropper tip and seal are undamaged and the bottle has never been opened before purchase
Chloramphenicol (eye & ear drops) Price in Nigeria
Chloramphenicol (eye & ear drops) prices in Nigeria vary by brand, strength, and where you buy it. Confirm the current price with a licensed pharmacy, and always check the product is NAFDAC-registered before you pay.
We show a price here once it appears in our monthly sampling of Nigerian online pharmacies (MedPlus, HealthPlus), or when we have a reliable market figure. For now, confirm the current price directly with a licensed pharmacy.
Where to Buy
Purchase Chloramphenicol (eye & ear drops) only from licensed pharmacies and verified distributors. Avoid buying medicines from unverified sources, roadside vendors, or unregistered market stalls.
Before you buy, verify the product's NAFDAC registration and check the price guidance above so you know a fair price before you pay.
Buying Chloramphenicol (eye & ear drops) in bulk or for resale? Our guide on how to buy medicines in bulk in Nigeria safely covers verifying a supplier and spotting fakes before a large order.
Need Chloramphenicol (eye & ear drops) in bulk, or can't find it near you?
Tell us what you need and we'll connect you with a verified, NAFDAC-registered source.
Related Resources for Chloramphenicol (eye & ear drops)
Guides, articles, and tools related to Chloramphenicol (eye & ear drops) and other eye & ear drops medicines in Nigeria.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
- •NAFDAC Greenbook — the official database of all products registered with Nigeria's National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control. Brand-level NAFDAC numbers for Chloramphenicol (eye & ear drops) on this page were cross-referenced against the Greenbook.
- •WHO Model List of Essential Medicines — Chloramphenicol (eye & ear drops) is included in the WHO's list of essential medicines, meaning it is considered essential for basic healthcare needs.
- •British National Formulary (BNF) dosing and interaction guidance for Chloramphenicol (eye & ear drops).
- •Nigerian Standard Treatment Guidelines (Federal Ministry of Health).