Dangerous Drug: Polymyxin B sulfate



Dangerous Drug: Polymyxin B sulfate





(pol i mix’ in)

PREGNANCY CATEGORY C


Drug Class

Antibiotic


Therapeutic Actions

Bactericidal: Has surfactant (detergent) activity that allows it to penetrate and disrupt the cell membranes of susceptible gram-negative
bacteria, causing cell death; not effective against Proteus species.


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



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

Jul 21, 2016 | Posted by in NURSING | Comments Off on Dangerous Drug: Polymyxin B sulfate

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