Colistiméthate sodique pour l'infection

About colistimethate sodium

Colistimethate sodium is an antibiotic which is used to treat infections caused by certain types of germs (bacteria). It works by killing the bacteria causing the infection. It is not absorbed by the body if it is taken by mouth, so instead it is given by injection or breathed into the lungs (inhaled). It is inhaled when it is for an infection which affects the lungs only (such as in people with cystic fibrosis). It is given by injection for infections which affect the body generally.

The rest of this leaflet deals with colistimethate sodium when it is inhaled for chest infections in people with conditions such as cystic fibrosis.

In people with cystic fibrosis, the cells that line the airways make phlegm (mucus) that is thicker than normal. This is not cleared from the lungs easily, and can trap bacteria and lead to infection. A germ (bacterium) called Pseudomonas aeruginosa commonly lives in the thick mucus in the airways. To keep it from flaring up into repeated infections, colistimethate sodium is inhaled into the lungs by nebuliser or inhaler device.

Before using colistimethate sodium

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start using colistimethate sodium it is important that your doctor knows:

• Si vous êtes enceinte, si vous essayez d'avoir un enfant ou si vous allaitez.

• Si vous avez des problèmes de fonctionnement des reins.

• Si vous souffrez d'une maladie entraînant une faiblesse musculaire, appelée myasthénie grave.

• Si vous êtes atteint d'une maladie sanguine héréditaire rare appelée porphyrie.

• Si vous prenez d'autres médicaments. Cela inclut tous les médicaments que vous prenez et qui sont disponibles sans ordonnance, ainsi que les médicaments à base de plantes et les médicaments complémentaires.

• Si vous avez déjà eu une réaction allergique à un médicament.

How to take colistimethate sodium

• Before you start this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside your pack. The manufacturer's leaflet will give you more information about the medicine and a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from using it.

• Use colistimethate sodium exactly as your doctor tells you to. Your doctor or nurse will give you/your child the first few doses and show you what to do. Ask for further information if there is anything you are not sure about.

• If you are using a nebuliser, you will be shown how to make up the solution and how to nebulise it. As a guide only, the usual dose nebulised by adults and children over 2 years of age is 1 to 2 million units (1-2 vials) two or three times daily. This dose may be increased from time to time when needed.

• If you have been given Colobreathe® capsules with an inhaler device, use one capsule in the device twice daily, 12 hours apart.

  • Insert the capsule widest end first into the inhaler chamber.

  • Pierce the capsule gradually using a two-step process (your nurse/doctor will demonstrate this for you) and remember only to pierce each capsule once.

  • Place the mouthpiece between your lips and form a seal around it.

  • Breathe in slowly but deeply so that you hear the capsule spin inside the inhaler.

  • Hold your breath for around ten seconds, or as long as you feel able to.

• Remember to rinse out your mouth with water after each dose of Colobreathe® to remove any medicine that has deposited in your throat. This will reduce the risk of mouth infections and will help to remove the taste from the powder in the capsules.

• Colobreathe® capsules must not be swallowed. They are not suitable for children under 6 years of age.

• Try not to miss any doses. If you do forget a dose, have it as soon as you remember unless it is nearly time for your next dose, in which case leave out the missed dose. Do not have two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.

Tirer le meilleur parti de votre traitement

• Essayez de vous rendre à vos rendez-vous réguliers avec votre médecin. Il pourra ainsi vérifier vos progrès.

• Your doctor may recommend another type of inhaler (a bronchodilator) to widen your airways as much as possible so that colistimethate can get deeper into your lungs. If this is the case, always use the inhaler before having a dose of colistimethate sodium.

• All people with cystic fibrosis should be up to date with routine immunisations and have an annual flu jab to prevent influenza. It is also important to be immunised with pneumococcal vaccine to help prevent pneumonia caused by this bacterium.

• It is important for people with cystic fibrosis to exercise and to be as active and fit as possible. So, sports and games such as running, swimming, football and tennis are encouraged.

• If you are having an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are having this medicine. This is because colistimethate sodium can interfere with some anaesthetics and they may not be suitable for you.

• Si vous achetez des médicaments, vérifiez auprès d'un pharmacien qu'ils peuvent être pris avec vos autres médicaments.

Can colistimethate sodium cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with inhaled colistimethate sodium. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Si vous ressentez d'autres symptômes qui, selon vous, pourraient être dus à ce médicament, parlez-en à votre médecin ou à votre pharmacien.

How to store colistimethate sodium

• Conservez tous les médicaments hors de la portée et de la vue des enfants.

• Conserver dans un endroit frais et sec, à l'abri de la chaleur et de la lumière directes.
  

Informations importantes sur tous les médicaments