氯霉素是一种抑菌类抗生素，由大卫·戈特利布（David Gottlieb）于1947年从南美洲委内瑞拉的土壤内的委内瑞拉链霉菌（Streptomyces venezuelae）成功分离，再于1949年合成并引入临床试验。

氯霉素是世界上首种完全由合成方法大量制造的广谱抗生素，对很多不同种类的微生物均起著作用。它因价钱低廉的关系，现时仍然盛行于一些低收入国家；但在其他西方国家经已甚少使用，这是由于它的副作用的关系：会引致致命的再生不良性贫血。现时，氯霉素主要是用在医治细菌性结膜炎的眼药水或药膏上。

Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic useful for the treatment of a number of bacterial infections. This includes meningitis, plague, cholera, and typhoid fever. Its use is only recommended when safer antibiotics cannot be used. Monitoring both blood levels of the medication and blood cell levels every two days is recommended during treatment. It is available intravenously, by mouth, and as an eye ointment.