Colomycin

Physiotherapy department

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Colomycin (colistin) used with the e-flow nebuliser

The information in this fact sheet is aimed at people who already know about Cystic Fibrosis and are familiar with medical terminology and drug names.

Colomycin is an antibiotic and is given as an inhalation to treat a bacterial infection called Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Colomycin is used with a nebulizer called an e-flow.

Colomycin (available in a one or a two megaunit vial) is dissolved in sterile salt water and breathed (inhaled) into the lungs so that more of the antibiotic can target the bacteria causing the infection.

Mixing the drug

1. Wash hands at start. Lift the lip on the red plastic lid on bottle Colomycin and push top up. Pull open slowly, like a hinge.
2. Turn vial so plastic top faces you and pull gently downwards, twisting slightly to one side so the metal seal is broken on one side only.
3. Once the seal is broken, hold the vial firmly and peel off the metal seal to reveal the whole of the rubber stopper.
4. Open the ampoule of sodium chloride solution by twisting off the tip. Draw up 4mls sodium chloride solution (sterile salt water) using syringe provided.
5. Remove the rubber stopper by holding the outside edge and place it upside down on a clean surface. Add sodium chloride solution from syringe into bottle and replace rubber stopper.
6. Roll the vial gently between palms to dissolve all the Colomycin powder visible on the base of the vial. Do not shake. Leave to stand until any foam has disappeared.
7. Attach filter set to chamber. Remove grey lid from handset and pour all the solution into the nebuliser chamber. Replace lid and inhale immediately. Seal your lips around the mouthpiece. Breathe in and out slowly and deeply through your mouth. Do not breathe through your nose. Complete treatment until beeps sound and a tick appears on the device screen.
8. Wash mouthpiece, mesh and chamber after every treatment with detergent.
   Boil once a week in a pan of water for 10 minutes after washing..
   If treatment times are getting longer, then use the easycare cleaning aid for extra cleaning of the aerosol head.

Dose

The dose is 1 vial (1 or 2 MU) Colomycin mixed with 4mls sodium chloride solution twice daily as prescribed by your doctor.

Timing of treatment

Take your Colomycin after physiotherapy so that your lungs are clear and the drug can work effectively.

Contacts

If you need further information or help, contact:

Alder Hey Physiotherapists: Adam Walsh and Sioned Davies

E-mail: [email protected]

PIAG M27