Dangerous Drug: Polymyxin B sulfate(pol i mix’ in)
PREGNANCY CATEGORY C
Drug Class
Antibiotic
Therapeutic Actions
Indications
Acute infections caused by susceptible strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Haemophilus influenzae, Escherichia coli, Aerobacter aerogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae when less toxic drugs are ineffective or contraindicated
Intrathecal: Meningeal infections caused by P. aeruginosa
Contraindications and Cautions
Contraindicated with allergy to polymyxins (polymyxin B, colistin, colistimethate).
Use cautiously with renal disease, pregnancy, lactation.
Available Forms
Injection—500,000 units/vial
Dosages
Adults
IV
15,000–25,000 units/kg/day IV may be given every 12 hr. Do not exceed 25,000 units/kg/day.
IM
25,000–30,000 units/kg/day IM divided and given at 4- to 6-hr intervals.
Intrathecal
50,000 units once daily for 3–4 days; then 50,000 units every other day for at least 2 wk after cultures of CSF are negative, and glucose content is normal.
Pediatric patients
IV
Infants: Up to 40,000 units/kg/day IV.
Older than 2 yr: Use adult dosage.
IM
Infants: Up to 40,000 units/kg/day IM; doses as high as 45,000 units/kg/day have been used in cases of sepsis caused by P. aeruginosa.
Older than 2 yr: Use adult dosage.
Intrathecal
Younger than 2 yr: 20,000 units once daily for 3–4 days or 25,000 units once every other day. Continue with 25,000 units once every other day for at least 2 wk after cultures of CSF are negative and glucose content is normal.
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