Polymyxin B

Polymyxin B is an antibiotic that fights bacteria. It is used to treat severe bacterial infections of the body. It works by killing and stopping the growth of bacteria that cause these problems. It is commonly used to treat critically ill patients admitted to the hospital.

Polymyxin B is given under the supervision of a healthcare professional. You should get the injections at the same time each day to get the most benefit and you should keep on taking this medicine for as long as you are prescribed it, even if your symptoms quickly improve. If you stop taking it too early the infection may return or worsen.

Some people may develop side effects like anaphylactic reaction, kidney damage, neurotoxicity, fever, or pain, redness, and swelling at the site of injection. These side effects are usually temporary and go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if these side effects bother you or will not go away.

Before starting treatment with this medicine, you should tell your doctor if you are allergic to any antibiotic or have any liver or kidney problems. Pregnant women should consult their doctor before using it. Your doctor may get regular blood tests done to monitor kidney function.

• Treatment of Severe bacterial infections

Treatment of Severe bacterial infections
Polymyxin B is an antibiotic that works by killing bacteria which can cause serious infections. It is a versatile medicine used to treat many different types of bacterial infections. This medicine is usually given as an injection by a doctor or nurse and should not be self-administered at home.

This medicine usually makes you feel better very quickly but you should continue taking it as prescribed even when you feel better to make sure that all bacteria are killed and do not become resistant.

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Polymix B

• Anaphylactic reaction
• Fever
• Kidney damage
• Neurotoxicity
• Injection site reactions (pain, swelling, redness)

Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.

Polymyxin B is an antibiotic. It kills bacteria by destroying the bacterial cell membrane.

• Polymyxin B treats serious bacterial infections that have not responded to treatment with other antibiotics.
• It is given by injection or drip (infusion) into a vein usually over 30-60 minutes.
• Finish the prescribed course, even if you start to feel better. Stopping it early may make the infection come back and harder to treat.
• Diarrhea may occur as a side effect. Inform your doctor if it doesn't stop or if you find blood in your stools.
• Your doctor may get regular blood tests done to monitor the level of the medicine in your blood.
• Polymyxin B treats serious bacterial infections that have not responded to treatment with other antibiotics.
• It is given by injection or drip (infusion) into a vein usually over 30-60 minutes.
• Finish the prescribed course, even if you start to feel better. Stopping it early may make the infection come back and harder to treat.
• Your doctor may get regular blood tests done to monitor the level of the medicine in your blood.

MacDougall C, Chambers HF. Protein Synthesis Inhibitors and Miscellaneous Antibacterial Agents. In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 12th ed. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. pp. 1538-39.

Chambers HF, Deck DH. Miscellaneous Antimicrobial Agents; Disingectants, Antiseptics, & Sterilants. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. p. 878.

Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. p. 1133.

Polymyxin B. Bedford, Ohio: Ben Venue Laboratories, Inc.; 2011. [Accessed 28 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from:

Medscape. Polymyxin B. [Accessed 28 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from:

Drugs.com. Polymyxin B. [Accessed 28 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from: