Polymyxins

Polymyxins are antibiotics. Polymyxins B and E (also referred to as colistin) are utilized in the treatment of Gram-negative bacterial infections. They work mostly by ending the bacterial cell wall . they're a part of a broader class of molecules called nonribosomal peptides.Polymyxin antibiotics are relatively neurotoxic and nephrotoxic, so are usually used only as a final resort if modern antibiotics are ineffective or are contraindicated. Typical uses are for infections caused by strains of multiple drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa or carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae.Polymyxins have less effect on Gram-positive organisms, and are sometimes combined with other agents (as with trimethoprim/polymyxin) to broaden the effective spectrum. Polymyxins B aren't absorbed from the alimentary canal , in order that they are only administered orally if the goal is to disinfect the alimentary canal .Another route of administration is chosen for systemic treatment, e.g., parenteral (often intravenously) or by inhalation. they're also used externally as a cream or drops to treat otitis (swimmers ear), and as a component of triple antibiotic ointment to treat and stop skin infections after binding to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) within the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, polymyxins disrupt both the outer and inner membranes. The hydrophobic tail is vital in causing membrane damage, suggesting a detergent-like mode of action.      

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