RT Book, Section A1 Gruenberg, Katherine A1 Guglielmo, B. Joseph A2 Papadakis, Maxine A. A2 McPhee, Stephen J. A2 Rabow, Michael W. A2 McQuaid, Kenneth R. SR Print(0) ID 1193122083 T1 Polymyxins T2 Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2023 YR 2023 FD 2023 PB McGraw-Hill Education PP New York, NY SN 9781264687343 LK accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1193122083 RD 2024/03/28 AB The polymyxins (colistin and polymyxin B) are basic polypeptides that are bactericidal for certain gram-negative aerobic rods, including Pseudomonas. Because of poor distribution into tissues and substantial toxicity (primarily nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity), systemic use of these agents has been limited to infections caused by multidrug-resistant gram-negative organisms that are sensitive only to the polymyxins. Colistin is used for pan-resistant Acinetobacter baumanii and P aeruginosa and CRE infections. However, safer alternatives are available; ceftolozane-tazobactam is clinically effective against multidrug-resistant P aeruginosa with fewer toxicities, and ceftazidime-avibactam is safer and more effective in the treatment of infection caused by CRE. Meropenem-vaborbactam is likely more effective and certainly less toxic than colistin in the treatment of CRE. The safe, effective use of the polymyxins, including confusion between polymyxin B and colistin, absence of pharmaceutical standards, uncertainties regarding susceptibility testing and breakpoints, pharmacokinetics in special patient populations, and the role of combination therapy limits their utility. Baseline renal impairment and older age strongly predict acute kidney injury. Higher doses of colistin are associated with increased microbiologic success and decreased 7-day mortality; however, they are also associated with worsened kidney function. While not proven to improve clinical outcomes, some clinicians recommend capping the dose at 9 million units/daily of colistin methanesulfonate and adding a second medication such as a carbapenem.