How much do you know about colistin?

Polymyxin E is a very common antibiotic and bactericidal agent, which can treat burns, local infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and infection with sensitive bacteria. However, people do not know much about this in daily life. There are many precautions when taking polymyxin E, including that it may be accompanied by allergic symptoms such as rash and itching, and pregnant women and patients with renal insufficiency should use it with caution. Therefore, friends who need to use it need to be extra careful.

1. Basic Information

Colistin, with the molecular formula C52H98N16O13, is an agricultural antibiotic and fungicide.

Polymyxin E (Polymyxin E), trade name antimyxin, colistin, colistin. Used to treat Escherichia coli enteritis and bacillary dysentery resistant to other drugs. For external use, it is used for local infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa caused by burns and trauma, and infection with sensitive bacteria in the ears, eyes and other parts of the body.

2. Physical and chemical properties

Refractive index: 1.573

Flash point: 883.3°C

Vapor pressure: 0mmHg at 25°C

Storage conditions: The warehouse should be ventilated, low temperature and dry, and stored and transported separately from food raw materials

Density: 1.25g/cm3

Boiling point: 1536.8ºC at 760mmHg

3. Production method

Extracted from the culture medium of Bacillus Polymyxa. There are five types of polymyxins: A, B, C, D, and E. The main component of polymyxin E is polymyxin E1, which contains a small amount of polymyxin E2.

4. Precautions for taking polymyxin E

(1) Allergic symptoms such as rash and itching may occur, and gastrointestinal side effects include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, etc.

(2) Use with caution in pregnant women and patients with renal insufficiency.

(3) Oral administration should be taken on an empty stomach.

5. Usage and Dosage of Polymyxin E

Note : The same drug produced by different companies may have different dosages due to different packaging specifications. The usage and dosage in this article are for reference only. If you are not sure, refer to the instructions that came with the medicine or ask your doctor.

(1) Oral administration: Adults: 1.5 million to 3 million units per day, divided into 3 doses. The single dose for children is 250,000 to 500,000 units, 3 to 4 times a day. In severe cases, the above dose can be doubled.

(2) Solution for external use: 10,000 to 50,000 units/ml, dissolved in sodium chloride injection.

6. Pharmacological Action of Polymyxin E

The antimicrobial spectrum and in vivo processes are the same as those of polymyxin B. It is not absorbed orally and is used to treat Escherichia coli enteritis and bacillary dysentery resistant to other drugs. For external use, it is used for local infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa caused by burns and trauma, and infection with sensitive bacteria in the ears, eyes and other parts of the body.