Colistimethate Sodium Injection (I-Colistin)

Colistimethate injection is used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria. Colistimethate injection is in a class of medications called antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria.

Antibiotics such as colistimethate injection will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Using antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.

Colistimethate injection comes as a powder to be mixed with a liquid and injected intravenously (into a vein) over a period of 3 to 5 minutes. Colistimethate injection may also be injected into the muscles of the buttocks or thighs. It is usually given every 6 to 12 hours. Colistimethate injection may also be given as a constant intravenous infusion over 22 to 23 hours. The length of your treatment depends on your general health, the type of infection that you have, and how well you respond to the medication.

You may receive colistimethate injection in a hospital or you may administer the medication at home. If you will be receiving colistimethate injection at home, your healthcare provider will show you how to use the medication. Be sure that you understand these directions, and ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions.

You should begin to feel better during the first few days of treatment with colistimethate injection. If your symptoms do not improve or get worse, call your doctor.

Use colistimethate injection until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop using colistimethate injection too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.

Colistimethate injection is also sometimes inhaled by mouth using a nebulizer (a machine that turns medication into a mist that can be inhaled) to treat certain serious lung infections. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication for your condition.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Before using colistimethate injection,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to colistimethate, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in colistimethate injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: amikacin, amphotericin B (Abelcet, Ambisome), capreomycin (Capastat), gentamicin (Gentak, Genoptic), kanamycin, neomycin (Neo-Fradin), paromomycin, polymyxin B, sodium citrate (in Bicitra), streptomycin, tobramycin (Tobi, Tobrex), or vancomycin (Vancocin). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney disease.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

This injection may cause side effects.

• upset stomach
• hives
• rash

Some side effects can be serious.

• numbness and tingling of the arms, legs, hands, feet, or tongue
• the sensation of insects crawling under the skin
• itching
• slurred speech
• muscle weakness
• shallow slowed, or temporarily stopped breathing
• decreased urination