Chloramphenicol — Compare Prices at US & Canada Pharmacies
Compare real Chloramphenicol prices at US and Canadian pharmacies, see official FDA uses and warnings, and find generic alternatives.
What is the typical out-of-pocket cost for Chloramphenicol (Bulk) without insurance coverage?
Without health insurance, the average retail cost for Chloramphenicol (Bulk) is $56.56 per 1.26, 100gm bottle. Uninsured patients may be able to reduce this expense by using pharmacy discount programs or manufacturer coupons available at many retail pharmacies. Choosing the generic version of chloramphenicol, as opposed to any brand-name formulation, typically results in lower overall medication costs.
What should I expect to pay for Chloramphenicol (Bulk) if I have insurance?
Insurance coverage for Chloramphenicol (Bulk) varies significantly depending on your specific plan. Your copay, coinsurance, or deductible will depend on whether your insurer includes this medication on its formulary and how it is classified within your plan's tier structure. For the most accurate cost information, contact your insurance provider directly to confirm coverage details and your personal out-of-pocket responsibility. If your plan does not cover this medication or charges a high copay, you may want to compare prices at different pharmacies or inquire about discount prescription programs that can be used independently or alongside your insurance coverage.
Chloramphenicol prices at US pharmacies
Chloramphenicol (Bulk) — bottle, 100gm of , qty 126
| Pharmacy | Retail price | With discount card |
|---|---|---|
| Kroger Pharmacy Lowest | $1721.05 | $1718.05 |
| Harris Teeter Pharmacy | $1721.05 | $1718.05 |
| Food Lion | $1797.75 | — |
| Walgreens | $1807.03 | $1804.03 |
| Publix | $1818.80 | $1815.80 |
| CVS Pharmacy | $1837.86 | $1834.86 |
| Walmart Neighborhood Market | $1847.90 | $1844.90 |
| Walmart Pharmacy | $1847.90 | $1844.90 |
Chloramphenicol prices at Canadian pharmacies
No Canadian pharmacy pricing was found for Chloramphenicol in our latest data pull.
Canada prices are converted to USD at time of collection and shown per tablet where available. Ordering from Canadian pharmacies is legal for personal use in most cases but subject to FDA/CBSA rules — see US vs Canada, explained.
What is Chloramphenicol used for?
Chloramphenicol is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that was once widely used but has become a drug of last resort in the US because of a serious and unpredictable risk: it can cause severe, sometimes fatal blood disorders — aplastic anemia among them — that can occur after even a short course of treatment and don't appear to be clearly dose-related. The FDA's boxed warning states plainly that chloramphenicol must not be used when a less dangerous antibiotic would work, and it should never be used for minor infections like colds, sore throats, or the flu.
Historically, chloramphenicol was prescribed for serious infections including bacterial meningitis, typhoid fever, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, particularly when other antibiotics weren't available or appropriate. Safer alternatives — including third-generation cephalosporins for meningitis and doxycycline for Rocky Mountain spotted fever — have largely replaced it for these uses in the US. Chloramphenicol is still used more widely in some other countries, and low-cost topical or ophthalmic formulations remain in use internationally, though its systemic use in the US today is uncommon and reserved for specific situations where nothing else will work.
Chloramphenicol can also cause a dangerous reaction in newborns and premature infants called gray baby syndrome, related to their immature ability to metabolize the drug — another reason its use is now tightly restricted. Anyone prescribed chloramphenicol should understand why safer options weren't chosen and what monitoring (typically regular blood counts) will be used during treatment.
How Chloramphenicol works
Blocks bacterial protein synthesis
Chloramphenicol binds to the bacterial ribosome and stops bacteria from producing the proteins they need to survive and multiply.
Works against a broad range of bacteria
Because it interferes with a core process shared across many bacterial species, it's effective against a wide variety of gram-positive and gram-negative organisms.
Reserved for when it's truly needed
Given its rare but serious toxicity risk, it's used only when the infection is serious and no safer, effective alternative exists.
Available forms
bottle
Related & alternative drugs
Warnings & interactions
This is a summary of the official FDA label text, not personalized medical advice. It does not list every possible interaction or side effect. Always tell your prescriber and pharmacist about every medicine and supplement you take.
Common, usually mild
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Headache
Serious — seek care promptly
- Unusual bruising or bleeding, unusual tiredness, or signs of infection (possible bone marrow suppression)
- Aplastic anemia (rare, can be fatal, may occur after even brief treatment)
- In infants: vomiting, low body temperature, blue-gray skin color, limpness (gray baby syndrome) — seek emergency care immediately
- Signs of an allergic reaction: rash, swelling, trouble breathing
Boxed warning
WARNING Serious and fatal blood dyscrasias (aplastic anemia, hypoplastic anemia, thrombocytopenia and granulocytopenia) are known to occur after the administration of chloramphenicol. In addition, there have been reports of aplastic anemia attributed to chloramphenicol which later terminated in leukemia. Blood dyscrasias have occurred after both short-term and prolonged therapy with this drug. Chloramphenicol must not be used when less potentially dangerous agents will be effective, as described in the INDICATIONS AND USAGE section.
Contraindications
CONTRAINDICATIONS: Chloramphenicol is contraindicated in individuals with a history of previous hypersensitivity and/or toxic reaction to it. It must not be used in the treatment of trivial infections or where it is not indicated, as in colds, influenza, infections of the throat; or as a prophylactic agent to prevent bacterial infections.
Notable drug interactions
| Drug / substance | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Other drugs that suppress bone marrow | Combined use should generally be avoided due to additive risk of blood cell suppression. |
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Pregnancy Pregnancy Category C – Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with chloramphenicol. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies to establish safety of this drug in pregnancy. It is not known whether chloramphenicol can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Orally administered chloramphenicol has been shown to cross the placental barrier.
Chloramphenicol, by the numbers
Additional public data points beyond retail pricing — useful context, not a price quote.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Chloramphenicol cost without insurance?
Is there a generic version of Chloramphenicol?
What drug class is Chloramphenicol in?
Page info
Prices last checked 2026-08-21. Reviewed against FDA and DailyMed official sources — see our review process. Not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Aldon Li, M.D., FIDSA, Infectious Disease, Internal Medicine