Related to this topic: Equipment | Books | Your Experience | Other resources | Glossaries
Print options: Printer friendly version of this leaflet (html)     Other options:  AddThis Social Bookmark Button (what's this?)

Colistin

  • Oral colistin is used to sterilise (remove bacteria from) the bowel before surgery
  • Inhaled colistin is used to treat chest infections in patients with cystic fibrosis
  • Colistin injection is used to treat bacterial infections including chest and urinary tract infections and infections of the blood
  • Even if your condition has improved it is important to complete the prescribed course of colistin. Do not stop taking this medicine without speaking to your doctor first.

About colistin

Type of medicine Polymyxin antibiotic
Used for Removing bacteria from the bowel before surgery
Chest infections in patients with cystic fibrosis
Bacterial infections (including chest and urinary tract infections and infections of the blood)
Also called Colomycin
Promixin
Available as Tablets
Oral Syrup
Nebuliser Solution (to be inhaled)
Injection

Colistin works by altering the bacterial cell membrane structure causing the cell contents to leak out. This results in bacterial death.

Oral colistin is used to sterilise (remove bacteria from) the bowel before surgery. It is not absorbed from the gut into the blood.

Inhaled colistin is used to treat chest infections in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Colistin injection is used to treat bacterial infections including chest and urinary tract infections and infections of the blood.

Before taking colistin

Before taking colistin make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

  • If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding
  • If you have ever suffered from kidney problems
  • If you suffer from myasthenia gravis (a muscle weakening disease) or porphyria (a blood disorder)
  • If you suffer from asthma
  • If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this medicine or 'polymixin B'
  • If you have a condition where you should not take sugars (colistin syrup contains sucrose)

How to take colistin

  • Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor
  • Try to take this medicine at regular intervals, as directed by your doctor
  • Try not to miss any doses. If you do miss a dose:
  • Colistin tablets, oral syrup and nebuliser solution - take the dose as soon as you remember unless it is nearly time for your next dose, in which case leave out the missed dose. Never take two doses at the same time to make up.
  • Colistin injection - administer the dose as soon as you remember and then administer the next dose at least 8 hours later, as instructed by your doctor. Never take two doses at the same time to make up.
  • Solutions are for single use; discard any remaining solution once a dose has been taken

Getting the most from your treatment

  • Even if your condition has improved it is important to complete the prescribed course of colistin. Do not stop taking this medicine without speaking to your doctor first.
  • There is a small risk that oral contraceptives may be less effective while you are taking some colistin preparations. In addition to taking the contraceptive pill, you may need to use a barrier method of contraception (e.g. condoms) while you are taking colistin and for at least seven days after your course of colistin has finished. If you are taking an oral contraceptive, speak to your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

Can colistin cause problems?

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Possible side effects are described below.

Side-effects What can I do if I experience this
Cough, chest tightness, breathlessness Speak to your doctor if you experience any of these.
Dizziness, confusion, problems with eyesight Do not drive or operate machinery. Avoid alcohol. Speak to your doctor if you experience any of these.
Pins and needles in the hands, feet and around the mouth, slurred speech, sore throat or sore mouth, flushing (reddening of the face), fainting, loss of sense of reality These side-effects are usually temporary but if you experience any of these speak to your doctor.
Injection: injection-site reactions This may occur following an injection. If this occurs speak to your doctor.

Important: If you experience a skin rash, swelling of the face, tongue or neck, or if you are unable to breathe after taking colistin speak to your doctor immediately.

If you experience any other worrying symptoms, which you think may be due to this medicine, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store colistin

  • Keep all medicines out of the reach of children
  • Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light

Important information about all medicines


  • Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
  • Make sure that the person prescribing this medicine knows about any other medicines that you are taking. This includes medicines you buy and herbal and homeopathic medicines.
  • If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
  • Before taking this medicine tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction after taking any medicine.
  • Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if it is empty.
  • If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
  • Always read the printed information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
  • This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
  • Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
  • If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.
© EMIS 2007 DocID:
3618		 DocRef:
dils3209		 Last Updated:
25 Jul 2007		 Date of Next Review:
24 Jul 2009		 Version:
22
Patient UK Current Health News






Want to advertise on this site? Find out how >>





Want to advertise on this site? Find out how >>

PS - Health and Poverty

Perhaps the biggest cause of ill health in the world is poverty. Help to Make Poverty History. For example, why not lend some of your money to disadvantaged communities to enable them to trade their way out of poverty through schemes such as Shared Interest.

See also MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY North East for details and links to campaigns against poverty.

^ Top of Page