Colistimethate
FDA approved · RxPolymyxin antibiotic
Also known as: Coly-Mycin M, colistin, polymyxin E, Colistimethate Sodium
Strong, human-grade evidence
- Regulatory standing. FDA-approved prescription medicine
- Human trials. Backed by controlled human studies
- Registered human trials. 42 registered studies on ClinicalTrials.gov, most advanced Phase 4
- 1 cited source. Includes primary / regulatory sources
Computed with the same four public criteria as every profile. The human-evidence grade on an indexed profile is set automatically and may change when it is hand-reviewed. It is not a safety score, not a purity rating, and not medical advice, and not a claim that this compound treats, cures, or prevents any condition.
What it is
Colistimethate is an inactive prodrug form of colistin, also called polymyxin E, a cyclic peptide antibiotic. In the body it converts to colistin, which binds to the outer membrane of certain gram-negative bacteria and disrupts it, causing the bacteria to die.
What the evidence shows
Colistimethate is FDA approved for treating acute or chronic infections caused by susceptible gram-negative bacteria, and it has 42 registered human trials reaching Phase 4. Its known risks, especially kidney and nerve toxicity, are well documented, while its best role against multidrug-resistant infections is still being studied.
Key facts
Registered human trials
Live from ClinicalTrials.gov, refreshed daily.
Multicenter Open-label Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) to Compare Colistin Alone Versus Colistin Plus Meropenem
Best Available Therapy With or Without Meropenem for Bloodstream Infections by Enterobacterales With High Level of Resistance to Carbapenems
Colistin Pharmacokinetics in Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy
Efficacy and Safety of Colistimethate Sodium for Injection in The Treatment of Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Infection
Published literature
Live from Europe PMC. This is how much has been published, not how much is proven in humans.
Polymyxin B sulfate and colistin: old antibiotics for emerging multiresistant gram-negative bacteria.
Adverse effects of sodium colistimethate. Manifestations and specific reaction rates during 317 courses of therapy.
Nephrotoxicity associated with intravenous colistin (colistimethate sodium) treatment at a tertiary care medical center.
Dosing guidance for intravenous colistin in critically-ill patients.
Sources
Risks, side effects and study doses are only published on hand-reviewed profiles. Want this one reviewed, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.