Левомеколь

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Левомеколь

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Method of action: Antibacterial Local

Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Левомеколь

Quick Facts

Property Description
Active ingredients Chloramphenicol, Methyluracil
Form Ointment (Мазь)
Pharmacological class Antimicrobial and Reparative Agent
Common use Wound management and tissue healing
Origin Synthetic combination product

What Type of Medicine is Левомеколь?

Левомеколь (Levomekol) is a synthetic combined product classified as a topical antimicrobial and reparative agent, formulated as an ointment intended exclusively for external use. This preparation is defined by its integrated, dual function: it simultaneously controls the presence of infectious microorganisms and actively supports the body's natural processes of tissue regeneration. As a combination product, its use is recognized in situations where a wound presents both a risk of bacterial contamination and a requirement for accelerated tissue repair, such as in the management of deep cuts or skin ulcers.


What is Левомеколь Made Of?

Левомеколь is composed of two primary active ingredients: Chloramphenicol, an antibiotic, and Methyluracil, a substance that promotes cell repair. The antimicrobial action is provided by Chloramphenicol, known internationally as Levomycetin, which exerts a bacteriostatic action against a wide array of bacteria. Chloramphenicol is effective against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria commonly found in wound infections. The medicine works to stop many common types of harmful bacteria from multiplying. The reparative component, Methyluracil (or Диоксометилтетрагидропиримидин), stimulates the growth of new cells and tissue. These compounds are suspended in a special water-soluble base, primarily Polyethylene Glycol, a formulation feature characterized by its ability to adsorb fluid, allowing the ointment to remain active even in the presence of wound exudate and necrotic tissue.


What is the General Purpose of Левомеколь Ointment?

The general purpose of Левомеколь is to manage the environment of a wound by controlling infection while stimulating the area's natural healing capacity. This dual therapeutic action is a key differentiating factor, ensuring the affected tissue is protected from bacterial spread while the Methyluracil works to replace damaged cells. The combined use of agents like Methyluracil plays a role in accelerating the formation of granulation tissue. The preparation encourages the formation of new, healthy tissue to close the wound. The drug’s ultimate benefit is creating an optimal local environment for the wound, supporting both cleanup and the subsequent phase of tissue repair and recovery.

What side effects are possible with Левомеколь?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

The safety profile for Левомеколь (Levomekol) ointment is structured around managing localized reactions and mitigating the low potential for systemic exposure of the antibiotic component, Chloramphenicol, as documented in regulatory texts.


Adverse Reaction Classifications

The most commonly listed adverse events are localized allergic reactions occurring at the application site. These effects are generally categorized as uncommon or of unknown frequency in official product labeling.

Classification System-Organ Class Examples
Local Reactions Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders Skin rash, itching (pruritus), redness, burning sensation

Serious Adverse Event Precaution

The potential for systemic absorption of Chloramphenicol from topical application, particularly over large or extensive wounds, underpins the core safety restrictions. This is a necessary precaution due to the historical association of Chloramphenicol with severe outcomes, including Bone Marrow Depression and Aplastic Anemia, although the risk is significantly lower for the topical form.

Population-Specific Safety Constraints

Official labeling includes explicit restrictions for vulnerable groups:

  • Pediatric Population: The ointment is contraindicated in children under the age of one year. This restriction addresses the risk of severe systemic toxicity, often referred to as Gray Baby Syndrome, linked to Chloramphenicol exposure in infants.
  • Duration of Use: A safety note mandates avoiding prolonged use. This constraint aims to minimize the cumulative systemic exposure to Chloramphenicol and reduce the risk of localized hypersensitivity reactions.

Use during pregnancy and lactation requires a determination that the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk due to the possibility of the antibiotic crossing the placenta or entering breast milk.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and When to Seek Help

Official regulatory information for topical preparations containing Chloramphenicol (the active antibiotic component of Левомеколь) outlines the following overdose risks and required actions.

Documented Overdose Risks and Presentations

Risk Type Official Regulatory Statement
Acute Systemic Toxicity Systemic overdose is generally unlikely due to the low drug concentration in the topical ointment, even with accidental ingestion or excessive application.
Local Exposure Accidental eye contact may cause local irritation, pain, swelling, lacrimation, or photophobia
Idiosyncratic Risk A serious, non-dose-related risk of bone marrow hypoplasia, including aplastic anaemia, is associated with the active component, even following topical use.

Emergency Actions and High-Risk Populations

Condition Required Action (As Labeled)
Eye Contact The exposed eye(s) should be irrigated for at least 15 minutes.
Symptom Worsening Immediate medical advice must be sought at any time if symptoms worsen or persist after initial first aid.
High-Risk Groups Newborn infants are a specific high-risk group due to immature metabolism, where systemic absorption of the active component could potentially lead to severe effects, including cardiovascular collapse.

Connection to Overdose Profile

The regulatory profile defines overdose risk primarily by the minimal acute systemic threat from topical use and the established critical, although rare, risk of severe haematological events. Guidance mandates specific first-aid steps for local exposure and requires immediate medical attention if symptoms fail to resolve or deteriorate, particularly in vulnerable populations like neonates.

Therapeutic Uses of Левомеколь

What Левомеколь Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

The core therapeutic domain of Левомеколь ointment is used in situations involving certain distressing symptoms for wounds that show symptoms related to inflammatory or irritative states or are relevant when supportive symptom management is appropriate. The main uses fall under conditions presenting with systemic or localized discomfort, particularly when symptoms linked to organ-specific functional stress are present. The medicine is commonly used to help with managing symptoms that create noticeable physiological strain.

The ointment may be part of symptomatic management in contexts involving symptoms related to inflammatory or irritative states. It is commonly used across conditions presenting with acute episodes, such as minor cuts, abrasions, and superficial thermal or mechanical injuries. In addition, the formulation supports general well-being during symptomatic phases.

“It may assist with managing symptoms that become more disruptive during flare-ups, assisting with maintaining functional stability in the affected tissue.” Overall, it contributes to improved comfort during periods of heightened symptoms and helps ease the overall symptom burden.

Quick Fact: May assist with Physiological Strain

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Who Can and Cannot Use Левомеколь (Levomekol) Ointment

Official regulatory information strictly defines the eligible patient population for using Левомеколь, focusing on absolute contraindications and conditional use requirements. This guidance must be followed to determine suitability for use.

Contraindications (Must Not Use)

The medication is absolutely contraindicated in the following groups:

  • Hypersensitivity: Individuals with a known allergy or increased sensitivity to the active ingredients (Chloramphenicol, Methyluracil) or any component of the ointment.
  • Pediatric Age: Children under 1 year of age are excluded from use.

Conditional Use and Restrictions

Use is restricted and requires a specific risk assessment in the following physiological states:

Population Official Regulatory Status
Pregnancy Conditional Use. Allowed only if the expected therapeutic benefit to the mother outweighs the potential risk to the fetus.
Breastfeeding Conditional Use. A decision must be made to either discontinue the use of the drug or discontinue breastfeeding during the period of treatment.

All individuals over the age of one who do not have a documented hypersensitivity to the components are eligible for use, subject to the conditions listed above.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

Official regulatory information for this combination product (Chloramphenicol / Methyluracil) outlines constraints primarily based on the systemic absorption potential of Chloramphenicol, an active component with known hematological risks.


Interaction Scope and Constraints

Interaction Domain Practical Implication
Other Acetaminophen-Containing Products Concomitant use with any other medication containing the same active ingredient (acetaminophen) is prohibited to prevent exceeding the maximum recommended daily limit.
Warfarin-Containing Blood Thinners Mandatory caution is issued for patients taking Warfarin-containing blood thinners, requiring consultation with a healthcare professional before use due to the potential for increased bleeding risk (INR monitoring).
Medicines that Inhibit Hematopoiesis Avoid concomitant use with other drugs that suppress blood cell formation (hematopoiesis) due to the risk of additive or synergistic hematological toxicity (bone marrow depression) from the Chloramphenicol component.

Official Interaction Structure

The regulatory profile mandates avoiding co-administration with other medicines that cause hematopoiesis depression, as this represents a highly clinically significant interaction rooted in the potential for severe, idiosyncratic hematological adverse effects upon systemic absorption of Chloramphenicol. This structuring highlights the essential constraint of avoiding duplication of active ingredients and the necessity for professional medical supervision when combining with specific anticoagulant and myelotoxic agents.

Mechanism of Action

Mechanism of Action

The mechanism of Левомеколь is a dual-action process involving the modulation of microbial proliferation and the stimulation of cellular anabolism. The primary antimicrobial action is driven by Chloramphenicol, which acts as a bacteriostatic inhibitor. It selectively binds to the 50S ribosomal subunit within the bacterial cell, specifically blocking the Peptidyl Transferase Center. This molecular interference halts the elongation of bacterial protein chains, leading to the arrest of bacterial proliferation and modulating a key factor that impedes tissue repair.

Simultaneously, the reparative function is controlled by Methyluracil, which is a pyrimidine derivative that supports anabolic pathways. It modulates nucleic acid precursors to stimulate host cell metabolism, promoting the accelerated mitosis (cell division) of local fibroblasts and epithelial cells. By upregulating these anabolic pathways, the drug enhances the rate of new granulation tissue formation and epithelial migration.

This entire process is structurally supported by the Polyethylene Glycol base, which creates a high osmotic gradient. This physical mechanism draws out excess fluid and debris from the wound, sustaining a high concentration gradient of the active components locally and influencing the environment to favor the processes of microbial arrest and cellular proliferation.

Dosage and Administration Information

How to Use Левомеколь: Official Administration Guidelines

The administration route for Левомеколь ointment is strictly topical and intended exclusively for external use. The use protocol is based on a standardized, high-level regimen that specifies a daily frequency for application, typically coinciding with the required dressing changes. There is a quantitative limit on the amount administered: the maximum calculated daily dose of the ointment, determined by its chloramphenicol content, must not exceed 3 grams.


The official procedure for application varies based on the wound's geometry. For open surface areas, the standard method involves impregnating sterile gauze napkins with the ointment and using them to loosely fill the wound cavity. When the ointment is to be introduced into deep, purulent cavities, a syringe, catheter, or drainage tube may be employed. Under this specialized condition, it is required that the ointment be pre-warmed to 35-36 C prior to administration to ensure proper flow and distribution.


The duration of the course is not fixed by time but is tied to a specific clinical observation: the treatment must continue until the wound is completely cleansed of purulent-necrotic material. Furthermore, there are specific rules for population groups, notably restricting the use of the ointment for the pediatric population under 1 year of age. Administration during lactation also requires the simultaneous cessation of breastfeeding.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research evidence / Overview of studies for Левомеколь


Evidence for use in Purulent Wounds and Infected Burns

Research exploring Левомеколь was studied for its application in managing purulent wounds and infected burns during the initial phase of the wound process. These studies primarily involve clinical trials and observational cohorts focused on adults who presented with these specific conditions. The research examined outcomes linked to inflammatory or irritative states and those related to the changes measured in the wounds over short periods. The findings describe patterns observed in the studies where individuals using the intervention exhibited changes measured during the study period in certain wound measurements during the initial observed time intervals. However, the existing evidence is limited and follow-up durations were limited.

Evidence for use in Trophic Ulcers and Bedsores

The use of Левомеколь was evaluated in a research context involving trophic ulcers and bedsores, which are conditions marked by functional limitations and often presenting with cycles of stability and flare-ups. The data show patterns related to outcomes related to physical discomfort and the observed dimensions of the ulcers during the defined study periods. Comparative evidence is lacking for many of these scenarios.

Long-term studies and follow-up

Research so far suggests a focus on acute and short-term applications. This means that long-term effects are not fully established. There is limited information for long-term outcomes that track patients for several months or years after the intervention. Research exploring short-term symptom changes gives a partial view, and the existing evidence does not determine whether an individual will respond similarly over an extended period.

Evidence in special populations

The research has explored the intervention's use in standard adult populations, but data for certain groups remain insufficient. Limited information is available for individuals with specific comorbid conditions. The results apply only to the populations studied.

What is still uncertain about Левомеколь

The overall evidence landscape suggests several areas where more research is needed. Many studies conducted have follow-up durations that were limited, and the sample sizes were modest. Findings were mixed across various types of wounds, and the specific factors that may influence whether a patient's wound evolves as reported in a study are not fully understood. The existing research provides context about what has been observed so far, but research is ongoing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Левомеколь (FAQ)

Q: What is Левомеколь ointment and what is it used for?

A: Левомеколь is a combination medication in the form of an ointment. It contains two active ingredients:

  • Chloramphenicol: An antibiotic that helps fight bacterial infections.
  • Methyluracil: A component that is believed to help stimulate tissue regeneration and support the healing process.

It is primarily used for the topical treatment of pus-filled wounds (purulent wounds) in the first phase of the wound process (when the wound is inflamed and may contain dead tissue and pus). It is also used to treat second and third-degree burns that have become infected.


Q: How should I apply Левомеколь ointment?

  • The ointment is for external use only.
  • It should be applied directly to a sterile gauze pad or bandage, and then this dressing is applied to the affected area.
  • The dressing should be changed daily, or more frequently if needed, until the wound is completely cleaned of pus and dead tissue.
  • If the wound is deep and narrow, the ointment can be slightly warmed (to about 35°C or 95°F) and introduced directly into the wound cavity using a syringe.

Always follow the instructions provided by your healthcare professional or the product's official instructions.


Q: Can Левомеколь be used for all types of wounds?

A: No. Левомеколь is specifically indicated for purulent wounds (wounds with pus) in the initial, inflammatory stage of the wound process, as well as infected burns.

It is not typically indicated for routine, non-infected minor cuts or scratches. The use of this drug should be guided by the type and condition of the wound and a healthcare professional's assessment.


Q: Are there any side effects from using Левомеколь?

A: Like all medicines, Левомеколь can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Side effects are generally rare and localized, meaning they occur where the ointment is applied.

The most common side effects are allergic reactions, which may include:

  • Skin rashes
  • Itching
  • Redness
  • Swelling
  • A burning sensation at the application site.

If you experience any severe or persistent side effects, you should stop using the ointment and consult a healthcare professional.


Q: Is Левомеколь safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?

A: The use of Левомеколь during pregnancy or breastfeeding should be decided by a healthcare professional.

  • Pregnancy: The antibiotic component, Chloramphenicol, can be absorbed systemically (into the bloodstream) to some extent, and its use during pregnancy, especially near term, requires careful consideration due to potential risks.
  • Breastfeeding: Similarly, a healthcare provider should assess the potential benefits versus the risks of applying the medication, as there is a possibility of the drug or its components passing into breast milk.

Only use this medication if a doctor has specifically prescribed it for you during these periods.


Q: How long can I use Левомеколь ointment?

A: The duration of treatment with Левомеколь depends on the severity and nature of the wound and the recommendation of a healthcare professional.

  • It is generally used until the purulent wound is completely cleared of pus and dead tissue, which typically takes 5 to 10 days.
  • Prolonged use of topical antibiotics, including Chloramphenicol, is generally discouraged because it can lead to the development of drug-resistant bacteria or a fungal infection.

Do not use the medication longer than prescribed by your doctor. If there is no improvement after several days of use, consult a healthcare professional.

How should Левомеколь be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Levomekol (Левомеколь)

Official regulatory guidelines for Levomekol ointment dictate specific storage and disposal requirements to ensure product quality and safety.

Storage Requirement Official Instruction
Temperature Store at a temperature not higher than 25 C (Controlled Room Temperature).
Environmental Protection Keep in a dry place and a place protected from light.
Handling Restriction Do not allow freezing of the product.
Child Safety Store in a place out of the reach of children.

Stability and Disposal

The product's shelf-life is 3.5 years from the date of manufacture; use after the expiration date is prohibited. The ointment must be stored in its original manufacturer's packaging.

Disposal of unused or expired Levomekol must follow general legislative requirements. The product is classified as a low-hazard substance, and no special environmental precautions are typically required beyond local pharmaceutical disposal rules.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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