Polypeptides
Medication | Common Uses | Some Potential Side Effects |
|---|---|---|
Bacitracin Colistin (colistimethate, colistin, polymyxin E) Polymyxin B | Ear, eye, or skin infections Bladder infections (polymyxin B may be used for bladder irrigation) Serious infections caused by susceptible bacteria that are very resistant to many other antibiotics (colistin and polymyxin B given by injection) | For bacitracin: Can cause contact dermatitis For colistin and polymyxin B: Kidney and nerve damage (when given by injection)* |
* Polypeptide antibiotics are usually applied directly to the ears, skin, or eyes, but colistin and polymyxin B are sometimes given by injection when bacteria are resistant to all other antibiotics and no safer alternatives are available. Bacitracin is not available for injection. | ||