Polymyxin B
FDA approved · RxPolymyxin antibiotic peptide
Also known as: Neomycin And Polymyxin B Sulfates And Hydrocortisone, Neomycin And Polymyxin B Sulfates And Hydrocortisone Otic Suspension, Maxitrol, Neomycin And Polymyxin B Sulfates And Dexamethasone, Neomycin And Polymyxin B Sulfates
Strong, human-grade evidence
- Regulatory standing. FDA-approved prescription medicine
- Human trials. Backed by controlled human studies
- Registered human trials. 77 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
Polymyxin B is a cyclic lipopeptide antibiotic produced by the bacterium Paenibacillus polymyxa. It binds to the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria and disrupts membrane integrity, which kills the cell. It is used both as an injectable drug and in topical, eye, and ear products, often combined with neomycin and a corticosteroid.
What the evidence shows
Polymyxin B is FDA approved for treating certain serious Gram-negative bacterial infections and, in combination products, approved for bacterial infections of the eye, ear, and skin. Its effectiveness is well established, and it is also well known for kidney and nerve toxicity when given systemically, with 84 registered human trials and thousands of published papers.
Key facts
Registered human trials
Live from ClinicalTrials.gov, refreshed daily.
Exploring the Combination of Intracalvariosseous and Intravenous Antibiotics for Moderate to Severe Bacterial Meningitis
Use of Amnion on Partial Thickness Burns
Best Available Therapy With or Without Meropenem for Bloodstream Infections by Enterobacterales With High Level of Resistance to Carbapenems
Dropless Pars Plana Vitrectomy Study
Published literature
Live from Europe PMC. This is how much has been published, not how much is proven in humans.
Colistin: the revival of polymyxins for the management of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacterial infections.
Polymyxins: Antibacterial Activity, Susceptibility Testing, and Resistance Mechanisms Encoded by Plasmids or Chromosomes.
Peptidoglycan- and lipoteichoic acid-induced cell activation is mediated by toll-like receptor 2.
Mechanisms of polymyxin resistance: acquired and intrinsic resistance in bacteria.
Sources
Risks, side effects and study doses are only published on hand-reviewed profiles. Want this one reviewed, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.