Colistimethate Injection 

What is the most important information I should know about colistimethate? 

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to colistimethate. 

Before using colistimethate, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have kidney disease. You may need a dose adjustment or special tests during treatment. 

Colistimethate  is given as an injection into  a muscle or through  a needle placed into  a vein. Your doctor, nurse,  or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be shown how to inject your medicine at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the  injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes. 

Keep using colistimethate  for the full prescribed length  of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Colistimethate will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold  or flu. 

If you need  to have any type  of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead  of time that you are using colistimethate. You may need  to stop using  the medicine for  a short time. 

What is colistimethate? 

Colistimethate is an antibiotic that fights bacteria in  the body. 

Colistimethate is used  to treat infections caused by bacteria. 

Colistimethate may also  be used  for purposes not listed in this medication guide. 

What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking colistimethate?

You  should not use  this medication if you are allergic to colistimethate. 

Before using  colistimethate, tell  your doctor if you are allergic  to any drugs,  or if you have kidney disease.  You may need dose adjustments or special tests during treatment. 

Your doctor  will tell you if any  of your medication doses need to be changed. 

t is not known whether colistimethate passes into breast milk  or if it could harm  a nursing baby. Do not use this  medication without telling  your doctor if  you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take colistimethate? 

Colistimethate is given as an injection into a muscle or through a needle placed into a vein.  Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare  provider will give you this injection.  You may be shown how to inject  your medicine at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if  you do not fully  understand how  to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes. 

The colistimethate injection is sometimes given every 12 hours. The  medication can also be mixed with a liquid in an IV bag and given as a slow infusion over a 24-hour period. 

Use each disposable needle and syringe only one time. Throw away used needles and syringes  in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where  you can get one  and how to dispose of it). Keep this container  out of the reach of children and pets. 

Use this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Keep using colistimethate for the full prescribed length of time.  Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Colistimethate  will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu. 

If you need to have any type of surgery,  tell the surgeon ahead of time that  you are using colistimethate. You may need  to stop using the medicine for a short time. 

If you store colistimethate at home, keep the medication at cool room temperature  away from moisture  and heat. 

After colistimethate is mixed in an IV bag, it must be kept in a refrigerator and used within 7 days  of mixing.

What happens if I miss a dose? 

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose. 

What happens if I overdose? 

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. 

Overdose symptoms may include confusion, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, blurred vision, slurred speech, severe numbness or tingling, or trouble breathing. 

What should I avoid while taking colistimethate? 

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign  of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it,  call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop  the diarrhea unless your doctor  has told you to. 

What are the possible side effects  of colistimethate?

Get emergency medical help if  you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of  your face, lips, tongue,  or throat. 

Call  your doctor at once if  you have  any of these serious side effects: 

• diarrhea that is watery or bloody; 
• fever;
• urinating less than usual or not at all; 
• muscle weakness; or 
• trouble breathing. 
• Less serious side effects may include: 
• mild numbness or tingling in your hands or feet; 
• dizziness, spinning feeling; 
• itching, mild skin rash; or 
• upset stomach. 

• gentamicin (Garamycin); 
• kanamycin (Kantrex); 
• neomycin (Mycifradin, Neo-Fradin, Neo-Tab); 
• netilmicin (Netromycin); 
• polymyxin;
• streptomycin; or 
• tobramycin (Nebcin, Tobi).