Polymyxin B

This medicine is an antibacterial medication used to treat a particular bacteria called pseudomonas spp. It works by breaking up the bacteria or suffocating it to death. Since Polymyxin B is only effective against a few bacteria , it is commonly used when other medications fail.

Polymyxin B should only be prescribed and injected by a healthcare provider.

Polymyxin B is used to treat bacterial infections in the body. It is available as injections and it should only be handled by your healthcare provider.

• Polymyxin B is administered into your veins or muscles by your healthcare provider.
• It is given every 4-6 hourly or 12 hourly depending on how severe the bacterial infection is.
• Drink a lot of water when using this medicine. This helps to reduce its harmful effects on your kidneys.

There are not many side-effects of polymyxin B, but the most common that you may experience are:

• Sleepiness.
• Dizziness.
• Headache.
• Fever.
• Irritation or swelling at the site of injection.
• Rarely, it may cause a change in your skin colour or cause a skin rash if you are allergic to the medicine.

• Polymyxin B can worsen kidney problems. Inform your healthcare provider if you have any kidney problems or take other medicines that could affect your kidneys.
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should inform your healthcare provider before taking this medicine.
• Apart from kidney problems, discuss any medical conditions you have with your healthcare provider. Also, inform them if you are taking any herbal medicines.
• Do not administer this medicine by yourself. Always have a healthcare provider help you.