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Coly-Mycin: Full Drug Profile

Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026

Coly-Mycin - General Information

Coly-Mycin is an antibiotic that has been shown to have bactericidal activity against aerobic gram-negative microorganisms. Coly-Mycin is particularly indicated when the infection is caused by sensitive strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

 

Pharmacology of Coly-Mycin

Coly-Mycin is a polymyxin antibiotic agent. Originally, colistimethate sodium was thought to be less toxic than polymyxin B; however, if the drugs are administered at comparable doses, their toxicities may be similar. Polymyxins are cationic polypeptides that disrupt the bacterial cell membrane through a detergentlike mechanism. With the development of less toxic agents, such as extended-spectrum penicillins and cephalosporins, parenteral polymyxin use was largely abandoned, except for the treatment of multidrug-resistant pulmonary infections in patients with cystic fibrosis. More recently, however, the emergence of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii, and the lack of new antimicrobial agents have led to the revived use of the polymyxins.

 

Coly-Mycin for patients

 

Coly-Mycin Interactions

Certain other antibiotics (aminoglycosides and polymyxin) have also been reported to interfere with the nerve transmission at the neuromuscular junction. Based on this reported activity, they should not be given concomitantly with Coly-Mycin M Parenteral except with the greatest caution.

Curariform muscle relaxants (eg, tubocurarine) and other drugs, including ether, succinylcholine, gallamine, decamethonium and sodium citrate, potentiate the neuromuscular blocking effect and should be used with extreme caution in patients being treated with Coly-Mycin M Parenteral.

Sodium cephalothin may enhance the nephrotoxicity of Coly-Mycin M Parenteral. The concomitant use of sodium cephalothin and Coly-Mycin M Parenteral should be avoided.

 

Coly-Mycin Contraindications

The use of Coly-Mycin M Parenteral is contraindicated for patients with a history of sensitivity to the drug or any of its components.

 

Additional information about Coly-Mycin

Coly-Mycin Indication

For the treatment of acute or chronic infections due to sensitive strains of certain gram-negative bacilli, particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Mechanism Of Action
Coly-Mycin is a surface active agent which penetrates into and disrupts the bacterial cell membrane. Coly-Mycin is polycationic and has both hydrophobic and lipophilic moieties. It interacts with the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane, changing its permeability. This effect is bactericidal. There is also evidence that polymyxins enter the cell and precipitate cytoplasmic components, primarily ribosomes.
Generic Name
Colistimethate
Synonyms
Colistimethale Sodium; Colistimethate sodium; Colistin methanesulfonate sodium salt; Colistin sodium methanesulfonate; Colistin sodium methanesulfonate from bacillus colistinus
Drug Category
Antibacterial Agents
Drug Type
Small Molecule; Approved
Other Brand Names containing Colistimethate
Coly-Mycin M; Coly-Mycin;
Absorption
Very poor absorption from gastrointestinal tract.
Toxicity (Overdose)
Oral LD50 in rats is 5450 mg/kg. Overdosage with colistimethate can cause neuromuscular blockade characterized by paresthesia, lethargy, confusion, dizziness, ataxia, nystagmus, disorders of speech and apnea. Respiratory muscle paralysis may lead to apnea, respiratory arrest and death.
Biotransformation
As 80% of the dose can be recovered unchanged in the urine, and there is no biliary excretion, it can be assumed that the remaining drug is inactivated in the tissues, however the mechanism is unknown.
Half Life
2-3 hours following either intravenous or intramuscular administration in adults and in the pediatric population, including premature infants.
Dosage Forms of Coly-Mycin
Powder, for solution Intramuscular
Chemical IUPAC Name
pentasodium [[4-[[3-hydroxy-1-[[1-[[3-(1-hydroxyethyl)-12,15-bis(2-methylpropyl)-2,5,8,11,14,17,20-heptaoxo-6,9,18-tris[2-(sulfonatomethylamino)ethyl]-1,4,7,10,13,16,19-heptazacyclotricos-21-yl]amino]-1-oxo-4-(sulfonatomethylamino)butan-2-yl]amino]-1-oxobutan-2-yl]amino]-3-(6-methyloctanoylamino)-4-oxobutyl]amino]methanesulfonate
Chemical Formula
C58H105N16Na5O28S5
Organisms Affected
Gram-negative bacilli