Polymyxin antibiotic: Class Overview and Comparison
Quick answer: Polymyxin antibiotic are a class of medicines used for specific therapeutic indications. iMedic covers 3 polymyxin antibiotic substances. Below is a comparison table linking to detailed pages for each.
Polymyxin antibiotic on iMedic (3 substances)
| Substance | Primary indications | Mechanism | Common dose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kolistimetatnatrium | Multidrug-resistant Gram-negative infections, Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in cystic fibrosis | Colistimethate sodium is a prodrug of colistin, which disrupts bacterial outer m | 1-2 million IU IV every 8 hours; 1-2 million IU inhaled twice daily |
| Kolistimetatnatrium Xellia | Multidrug-resistant Gram-negative infections, Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections | Cationic polypeptide that disrupts bacterial outer membrane phospholipids causin | 1-2 million IU IV every 8 hours (CMS); inhaled 1-2 million IU twice daily |
| Tadim | Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections, Cystic fibrosis lung infections | Colistimethate sodium disrupts bacterial outer membrane lipopolysaccharide causi | 1-2 million IU 2-3 times daily (inhaled or IV) |
About Polymyxin antibiotic
Polymyxin antibiotic share a common mechanism of action and clinical use. Specific dosing, side effects, contraindications, and drug interactions vary between individual substances within the class. Click any substance above for full prescribing information and patient guidance.
Common considerations across the class
- Indication-specific selection: Different members may be preferred for different conditions or patient populations
- Dose equivalence: Members of the same class are not always interchangeable on a 1:1 dose basis
- Drug interactions: Class members often share interaction profiles (e.g., CYP enzyme effects) but individual variation matters
- Side effects: Some side effects are class-wide; others are substance-specific
- Contraindications: Individual contraindications may not generalize across the class
Always consult the prescribing information for the specific medicine prescribed and discuss with your clinician.
Frequently asked questions
What are Polymyxin antibiotic?
Polymyxin antibiotic are medicines that share a common mechanism of action used for specific therapeutic indications. iMedic currently covers 3 substances in this class with detailed pages for each.
Are all Polymyxin antibiotic interchangeable?
No. While medicines in the same class share a mechanism, they differ in potency, dosing, drug interactions, and tolerability. Switching between them is a clinical decision based on individual response, side effects, and treatment goals.
How do I choose between different Polymyxin antibiotic?
Selection depends on the specific clinical indication, patient factors (age, comorbidities, kidney/liver function, other medications), tolerability of side effects, cost, and clinician preference. This is a prescribing decision.
Are Polymyxin antibiotic available as generics?
Most well-established class members are available as generic alternatives, often substantially less expensive than brand-name versions while clinically equivalent. Newer members may still be brand-only.
Last reviewed: by iMedic Medical Editorial Team. Our editorial process.