Chloramphenicol

Chloramphenicol	Last updated: 21/09/2023
(Also known as: chloromycetin; amphenicol; chlornitromycin; CAF; D-chloramphenicol ; CAM)

Data alerts

The following alerts are based on the data in the tables below. An absence of an alert does not imply the substance has no implications for human health, biodiversity or the environment but just that we do not have the data to form a judgement.

Environmental fate	Ecotoxicity	Human health
Environmental fate Moderate alert: Drainflow: Moderately mobile Warning: Significant data are missing	Ecotoxicity Low alert: Fish acute ecotoxicity: Low; Daphnia acute ecotoxicity: Low Warning: Significant data are missing	Human health High alert: Carcinogen; Genotoxic; Reproduction/development effects Warning: Significant data are missing

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

An antiobic drug effective against a wide variety of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including most anaerobic organisms

Availability status

Introduction & key dates

1947, first isolated

Examples of species treated

Cats, Dogs

Chemical structure

Isomerism

Isomeric

Chemical formula

C₁₁H₁₂Cl₂N₂O₅

Canonical SMILES

C1=CC(=CC=C1C(C(CO)NC(=O)C(Cl)Cl)O)[N+](=O)[O-]

Isomeric SMILES

C1=CC(=CC=C1[C@H]([C@@H](CO)NC(=O)C(Cl)Cl)O)[N+](=O)[O-]

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

WIIZWVCIJKGZOK-RKDXNWHRSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C11H12Cl2N2O5/c12-10(13)11(18)14-8(5-16)9(17)6-1-3-7(4-2-6)15(19)20/h1-4,8-10,16-17H,5H2,(H,14,18)/t8-,9-/m1/s1

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre diagrams

Common Name	Relationship	Link
chloramphenicol	-

General status

Veterinary substance type

Antibiotic, Antimicrobial, Antibacterial, Medicinal drug

Substance groups

Amphenicol

Minimum active substance purity

>98%

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Synthetic

Mode of action

Broad spectrum, inhibits bacterial protein synthesis

Molecular targets

[50S ribosomal protein L16, antagonist], [Dr hemagglutinin structural subunit, antagonist], [Complement decay-accelerating factor]

CAS RN

56-75-7

EC number

200-287-4

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

PubChem CID

5959

ATCvet Code

QJ51BA01; QS01AA01

Therapeutic Class

Antiinfectants for systemic use: Antibacterials for intramammary use; Sensory organs: Ophthalmologicals

Controlled Drug?

Regulation 37/2010 MRL Classification

Prohibited

Molecular mass

323.13

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

2,2-dichloro-N-[(1R,2R)-2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)-2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethyl]acetamide

CAS name

Other status information

Evidence of use in third world countries

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Physical state

Colourless to pale yellow solid

Formulations

Property

Product

Manufacturer

Authorisation Route

UK Legal Class

Example products using this active

Chloromycetintm Redidrops

Pharmacia Animal Health Ltd

No UK authorisation for use

Not applicable

Formulation and application details

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

2500

High

Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

150800

Propylene glycol

Melting point (°C)

151

Boiling point (°C)

Decomposes before boiling

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C

1.38 X 10⁰¹

Calculated

Log P

1.14

Low

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

2.30 X 10^-07

Low volatility

Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)

Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹

max @ 278nm

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

Refractive Index

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

Note

Manure DT₅₀ (days)

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

Note

Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7

Value

Note

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d

Moderately mobile

K_oc

Notes and range

Estimated

Freundlich

K_f

K_foc

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Fate indices

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

GUS leaching potential index

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

CT₅₀ (days)

Known soil and groundwater metabolites

None

Other known metabolites

Metabolite name and reference

Aliases

Formation medium / Rate

Estimated maximum occurrence fraction

Metabolising enzymes

d-threo-2-amino-1-(p-nitrophenyl)-1,3-propanediol

Humans; Rat

chloramphenicol-beta-d-glucuronide

chloramphenicol 3-glucuronide

Humans; Rat

2-amino-1-(p-nitrophenyl)-1,3-propanediol

unknown

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

1500

Mouse

Moderate

Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL

(mg kg⁻¹)

(ppm diet)

Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)

Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹)

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Non-target plants

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Chronic

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Mason bees (Osmia spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Other bee species (1)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Other bee species (2)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)

Beneficial insects (Lacewings)

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

1828

Anguilla japonica

Low

Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

3360

Daphnia magna as umol/litre

Low

Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)

Aquatic plants - Acute 7 day EC₅₀, biomass (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute 72 hour EC₅₀, growth (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Chronic 96 hour NOEC, growth (mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

General

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

High (class III)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

1500

Mouse

Moderate

Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

Subcutaneous LD₅₀ > 5000 mg kg⁻¹

Rat

Intravenous LD₅₀ = 171 mg kg⁻¹

Rat

ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

Dermal penetration studies (%)

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Occupational

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

In humans metabolised and approx. half excreted in urine within 8hr of an oral dosing as the glucuronide conjugate; only 6% was excreted as the unchanged parent.

Health issues

Specific human health issues

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

No data found

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

No data found

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

No data found

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

IARC Group 2A carcinogen; US NTP - suspected carcinogen
Can induce childhood leukemia and aplastic anemia, although these effects are rare
Toxic if ingested
Blood, kidneys and liver toxicant

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

No information available

CLP classification 2013

WHO Classification

Not listed (Not listed)

UN Number

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

chloramphenicol

French

German

Danish

Italian

cloroamfenicolo

Spanish

cloramfenicol

Greek

Polish

chloromycetny

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

Norwegian

Record last updated:	21/09/2023
Contact:	aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as:	Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242