Colistin, also known as polymyxin E, is primarily used as a last-resort antibiotic to treat severe infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria.
These infections, often difficult to treat with other antibiotics, can include:
- Pneumonia: Lung infections caused by bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, or Acinetobacter.
- Other serious infections: Infections of the bloodstream, urinary tract, and other parts of the body, also caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria.
Colistin is typically reserved for situations where other antibiotics have failed because it can have significant side effects. Its use is carefully managed to minimize the development of further antibiotic resistance.
