Polymyxin Antibiotics
3 compounds in this family, each with its recorded mechanism, routes of administration, safety notes and references to published literature.
- ColistimethateColistimethate sodium (CMS) is a prescription prodrug of the polymyxin antibiotic colistin. It is used to treat severe infections caused by multidrug‑resistant Gram‑negative bacteria such as Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and is administered intravenously, intramuscularly, or by inhalation for respiratory disease.
- LotilibcinLotilibcin (WAP‑8294A2) is a cyclic lipodepsipeptide antibiotic of the polymyxin family that is being investigated for the treatment of infections caused by methicillin‑resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). It is administered intravenously and has shown potent in‑vitro activity (MIC 0.2–0.8 µg/mL) and superior in‑vivo efficacy compared with vancomycin in pre‑clinical models.
- Polymyxin BPolymyxin B is a cyclic lipopeptide antibiotic used primarily as a salvage therapy for multidrug‑resistant gram‑negative bacterial infections such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. It is administered intravenously, intramuscularly, intrathecally, ophthalmically, or as a topical preparation for ear canal infections. In addition to its antimicrobial role, limited case series report its use in hemoperfusion for refractory anti‑MDA5 dermatomyositis.