Chloramphenicol succinate sodium is the salt prepared from chloramphenicol succinate using the free carboxylic acid of the succinate which ionises and readily forms in weak sodium hydroxide solutions. The sodium salt is the preferred formulation for pharmaceutical applications, providing a more readily soluble product. Chloramphenicol succinate is significantly less active than chloramphenicol but acts as a prodrug, forming chloramphenicol in the presence of succinate dehydrogenase.