Drug interactions
Colistin + Pentamidine
Severity: Moderate
Colistin and Pentamidine: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Both colistin and systemic pentamidine can injure the kidney, and colistin also carries neurotoxic potential. Using them together may raise the risk of acute kidney injury, which in turn can increase colistin exposure and toxicity.
What this interaction means in plain words
Colistin and Pentamidine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Colistin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Pentamidine belongs to Anti Parasitic.
Why it happens
Additive nephrotoxicity through direct renal tubular injury by both agents.
What to do
Monitor serum creatinine, urine output and electrolytes at baseline and regularly during combined therapy. Adjust colistin dose to renal function and stop the combination if renal function worsens.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Colistin
- Colistin + Polymyxin b Contraindicated
- Amikacin + Colistin Major
- Amphotericin b deoxycholate + Colistin Major
- Amphotericin b + Colistin Major
- Atracurium + Colistin Major
- Bacitracin + Colistin Major
Other interactions of Pentamidine
- Clomipramine + Pentamidine Contraindicated
- Desipramine + Pentamidine Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Pentamidine Contraindicated
- Moxifloxacin + Pentamidine Contraindicated
- Nortriptyline + Pentamidine Contraindicated
- Pentamidine + Pimozide Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Colistin with Pentamidine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Colistin and Pentamidine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Both colistin and systemic pentamidine can injure the kidney, and colistin also carries neurotoxic potential. Using them together may raise the risk of acute kidney injury, which in turn can increase colistin exposure and toxicity.
How serious is the interaction between Colistin and Pentamidine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor serum creatinine, urine output and electrolytes at baseline and regularly during combined therapy. Adjust colistin dose to renal function and stop the combination if renal function worsens.
What other medicines interact with Colistin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Colistin with, for example, Polymyxin b, Amikacin, Amphotericin b deoxycholate. The full list is on the Colistin page.
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