An antibiotic for conjunctivitis (eye ointment), meningitis, plague, cholera, and typhoid fever (by mouth or intravenously).
It is a bacteriostatic by inhibiting the peptidyl transferase activity of the bacterial ribosome, that elongates protein chain.
Common side effects include bone marrow suppression (may result in death), nausea, and diarrhea. To reduce the risk, the treatment duration should be as short as possible. People with liver or kidney problems may need lower doses.
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