Does Colistimethate Interact with Polymyxins?
CDI records a major classification for Colistimethate and Polymyxins. The stored summary is: Polymyxin interferes with nerve transmission at the neuromuscular junction and should not be given concomitantly except with greatest caution. The mechanism involves interference with neuromuscular junction nerve transmission. Patients taking both medications should consult their healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing the dosage of either drug. This record was extracted from drug labeling through openFDA. NIH/NLM RxNorm is used for drug identities. The summary and severity classification are CDI's processed information, not a verbatim source quotation. Product, route, and patient circumstances matter.
- Severity
- Major
- Management
- Close medical supervision required
- Data Source
- U.S. FDA via OpenFDA
Recorded Mechanism
Interference with neuromuscular junction nerve transmission
What To Tell Your Doctor or Pharmacist
If you are taking Colistimethate and your doctor is considering prescribing Polymyxins (or vice versa), make sure to:
- Inform your doctor and pharmacist of all current medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements
- Ask whether the benefits of combining these medications outweigh the risks for your specific situation
- Ask what symptoms to watch for that would indicate the interaction is causing problems
- Ask how frequently you should be monitored while these are co-prescribed
- Ask whether any dosage adjustments are needed
- Never stop or change either medication without first consulting your healthcare provider