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Colistin
Pronounced ko-LIS-tin
Brand names: Coly-Mycin
Type: Polymyxin antibiotic · All Antibiotics & Infection Medicines
What Colistin is used for
- Serious hospital infections from bacteria resistant to nearly all other antibiotics
- Lung infections in cystic fibrosis (inhaled)
◆ Kidney note
Strongly kidney-toxic; dosing is complex in kidney disease and dialysis and is handled by specialists with level monitoring where available.
Common side effects
- Tingling or numbness
- Dizziness
- Nausea
Important cautions
- A last-resort antibiotic because of kidney and nerve toxicity — used only when safer options cannot work
How it comes
Injection (hospital), nebulizer solution. This guide lists forms only — it never lists strengths or doses.
Toxicity lists: Colistin also appears on Medicines That Can Harm the Kidneys.
Related medicines — Antibiotics & Infection Medicines
Please note: This page is a patient-education summary, not medical advice, and it deliberately contains no doses. Medicines affect everyone differently — always follow your own prescription and talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.