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What is a Nebulised Colomycin?
Nebulisers turn medications into fine mists so they can be easily inhaled into the lungs.
Colomycin (also known as Colistimethate Sodium or Colistin) is an antibiotic which is used to treat long term respiratory infections, especially those caused by a bacterium called Pseudomonas Aeruginosa.
This medication can control flare ups of your lung condition meaning you are less likely to need courses of other, oral antibiotics.
Nebulising the medication allows it to directly treat the infection and is much less likely to cause side effects.
You will have a test dose of this medication in a hospital environment with your lung function checked before and after to make sure it doesn’t irritate your lungs. At the same time you will be taught how to set up the medication and the equipment and how to clean it.
How do I take this Medication?
It is best to have this treatment after you have cleared your chest of sputum with your physiotherapy airway clearance exercises and taken any inhalers you have prescribed.
The Equipment you need is:
• 1 Vial of Colomycin
• 1 Ampoule of 0.9% NaCL
• Syringe
• 1 Ampoule access straw
• Nebuliser machine
• Nebuliser circuit (Aeroeclipse set to breath actuated mode)
Instructions
Please note; Colomycin should be nebulized in a well-ventilated room with no other people or pets present.
- Wash your hands
- Gather all the equipment
- Check the expiry dates of the Colomycin and the Normal Saline to make sure they are in date.
- Gently tap the Colomycin vial to loosen the powder.
- Flip up the plastic cap on the Colomycin vial and remove the foil seal completely.
- Remove the rubber bung from the Colomycin vial.
- Twist the cap off the Normal Saline
- Use the syringe and the ampoule access straw to remove your prescribed amount of Normal Saline.
- Syringe the Normal Saline into the Colomycin vial
- Replace the bung on the Colomycin vial and swirl gently (Do Not Shake) until the liquid is completely clear and there is no powder left.
- Remove the bung from the Colomycin vial and pour the liquid into the nebulizer circuit pot.
- Ensure the Aereclipse is set to ‘breath actuated mode’, turn on the compressor and nebulise the medication as directed.
- Once the nebuliser has finished, wash your hands and rinse your mouth, gargle and spit out the water.
NB: A pre prepared dose of Colomycin can be stored in a fridge for a maximum of 24 hours.
Side Effects
Sometimes Colomycin can lead to unwanted side effects such as:
• Coughing
• A tight feeling in the chest (bronchospasm)
• Wheezing
• A sore throat or mouth
• A hoarse voice
• Nausea
• A change to your sense of taste
• Rarely- a skin rash
If you experience any of these please stop taking the Colomycin and contact your GP or your local hospital team.
Cleaning the Equipment
Once you have finished using the nebuliser, switch it off at the wall and wipe it down with a damp cloth
The Aeroeclipse nebuliser circuit also needs cleaning after every use and sterilizing on alternate days (see the Aeroeclipse leaflet for specifics). This will need changing completely every 6 months.
The ampoule access straw lasts 6 weeks and will need cleaning in warm soapy water, rinsed and left to air dry after every use.
The syringes last 7 days and will need cleaning in warm soapy water, rinsed and left to air dry after each use.
All used, empty items can be disposed of in the recycling or normal household bins.
General Advice
Do not mix Colomycin with any other medication that you may nebulise, as some medications can react with others and stop one, or both of them working.
Contact Details
For medication delivery queries please contact Lloyds Clinical Homecare on: 0845 8888238
For all other queries about your Colomycin medication (Monday to Friday 9-5) please contact:
For East Berkshire: The AIR Team on: 0300 614 6469
For Buckinghamshire: The BIRS Team on: 01296 566113
For Out of Hours:
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Respiratory medicine service.
About this information
Service:
Respiratory medicine
Reference:
W/039
Approval date:
28 June 2024
Review date:
1 June 2027
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.