A patient’s guide to administering nebulised colomycin (colistimethate sodium) at home

Bucks Integrated Respiratory Service (BIRS)

Read our guide below about using colomycin at home.

You can also download a PDF version of this patient information by following the link on the right.

What is colomycin

Colomycin is an antibiotic: nebulised (misted) colomycin will help fight infections in your sputum.  Your chest consultant will have recommended this treatment for you.

Medication via a nebuliser and compressor is an excellent delivery technique because it allows treatment to be delivered directly where it is needed, into the lungs.

Nebuliser systems consist of two parts: a nebuliser pot or chamber and the nebuliser machine called a compressor.

The compressor forces air through the chamber which helps the liquid medication turn into a fine mist, which is then inhaled.

What you’ll need

• colomycin vials
• 5mls sodium chloride 0.9% (normal saline)
• nebuliser machine/compressor
• nebuliser chamber, face mask and filter set.

The first two items will be supplied by your GP and you will be loaned a nebuliser.

How to prepare the colomycin

• Wash your hands with soap and water and dry fully before and after you prepare your colomycin.
• Flip the top off the colomycin vial then carefully tear the silver cap from around the top of the vial and remove the rubber bung.
• Twist the top off the sodium chloride 0.9% (normal saline).
• Put the sodium chloride 0.9% (normal saline) into the vial of colomycin.
• Gently rotate the vial of diluted colomycin until all the powder is dissolved.
• Pour the liquid colomycin into the nebuliser chamber.
• Assemble the chamber, filter and mouthpiece.
• The colomycin is now ready to be nebulised.

PLAN YOUR TREATMENT AROUND YOUR NORMAL ACTIVITIES

How to administer the colomycin

It is advisable to nebulise colomycin in a room which is well ventilated.

• Connect the nebuliser chamber and tubing to the compressor and switch the machine on.
• Put the mouthpiece in your mouth and breathe in and out normally.
• Treatment is finished when the nebuliser begins to make a spitting noise. This should take around 10 minutes. The chamber pot may still have a little liquid left in it: this is normal.
• Clean the chamber after each use according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Storage

Your colomycin should be stored according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, usually in a cool dry place, out of the reach of children.

Side effects

•  Inhaled treatment may induce coughing or wheezing.
•  Some patients who develop severe wheezing with colomycin may be advised to take a medicine called Salbutamol before the colomycin.
•  If you begin to wheeze whilst inhaling the nebulised colomycin stop the nebuliser and use your reliever inhaler/nebuliser (salbutamol).

Please read the information leaflet provided with the colomycin for further side effects. Talk to your GP if you develop severe wheezing using colomycin.

Nebuliser machines

PLEASE NOTE THE TRUST DOES NOT SUPPLY NEBULISER MACHINES ON A PERMANENT BASIS.

If you wish to continue on your treatment long term you will need to purchase your own machine.

Please discuss with your nurse.