Details

Colistimethate is an antibiotic that fights bacteria. Colistimethate is used to treat infections caused by bacteria. To make sure colistimethate is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease. Colistimethate is injected into a muscle, or into a vein through an IV. Colistimethate is a powder medicine that must be mixed with a liquid (diluent) before using it. If you are using the injections at home, be sure you understand how to properly mix and store the medicine. Colistimethate must be given slowly. Your IV infusion may take 3 to 5 minutes to complete. In some cases, colistimethate is given over a period of up to 23 hours.

Typical Uses

Colistimethate is used to treat chronic chest infections due to bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa in patients with cystic fibrosis (genetic disorder of glands resulting in lung and digestive problems).

Side Effects

Some of the side effects of colistimethate include diarrhoea that is watery or bloody feeling tired or short of breath fever little or no urinating, swelling in your feet or ankles upset stomach dizziness, spinning sensation itching, mild rash or numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, mouth, or tongue.

Drug Interactions

• Colistimethate+amikacin- Using amikacin together with colistimethate could increase side effects of these medications and can cause damage to the kidneys or nerves. You may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use both medications.

• Colistimethate+adefovir- Talk to your doctor before using adefovir together with colistimethate. Adefovir may cause kidney problems, and combining it with other medications that can also affect the kidney such as colistimethate may increase that risk. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications.

• Colistimethate+cidofovir- Using cidofovir together with colistimethate is not recommended. Cidofovir may cause kidney damage, and combining it with other medications that can also affect the kidney such as colistimethate may increase that risk. If you have been receiving colistimethate, you may need to wait at least seven days after your last dose before you can start treatment with cidofovir.

• Colistimethate+gentamicin- Using gentamicin together with colistimethate could increase side effects of these medications and can cause damage to the kidneys or nerves. You may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use both medications.

• Colistimethate+kanamycin- Using kanamycin together with colistimethate could increase side effects of these medications and can cause damage to the kidneys or nerves. You may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use both medications.

Mechanism of action

Colistimethate belongs to group of medicines called polymyxin antibiotic drugs. It acts by binding to the bacterial cell wall and changing its permeability, causing bacterial cell death.

Pregnancy Category : C