COLOMYCIN TABLETS

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine.
• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you. Do not pass it on to others. It may
harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
• If you notice any side effects, please tell your doctor.
In this leaflet:
1. What Colomycin Tablets are and what they are used for
2. Before you take Colomycin Tablets
3. How to take Colomycin Tablets
4. Side Effects
5. How to store Colomycin Tablets
6. Further information
1. What Colomycin Tablets are and what they are used for
Colomycin is an antibiotic. It belongs to a group of antibiotics called polymyxins.
Colomycin kills bacteria that cause infections of the gut. It is also used for bowel
preparation before surgical operations as it will kill some bacteria that may cause
infections after surgery.
2. Before you take Colomycin Tablets
Do not take Colomycin Tablets:
• If you are allergic to Colomycin (also known as colistin, colistin sulphate or
colistimethate sodium) or any of the other ingredients of Colomycin Tablets
(see Section 6 for ingredients)
• If you are allergic to another antibiotic called polymyxin B,
• If you have myasthenia gravis (a disease causing weakened muscles and
excessive tiredness)
Take special care and speak to your doctor before using Colomycin
Tablets:
• If you have porphyria (a rare, often inherited, disorder)
• If you have kidney problems
Use in Children
• Colomycin tablets are not suitable for children under 15kg in weight, because
a suitable dose cannot be given from a 1,500,000 unit tablet.
Taking or using other medicines
Contact your doctor before taking this medicine:
• If you are taking other antibiotics
• If you are taking the oral contraceptive pill as some antibiotics reduce the
effectiveness of this pill
• If you are likely to require an operation where muscle relaxing (curariform)
drugs may be used
• If you are taking sucralfate, a treatment for stomach ulcers
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Your doctor will not normally prescribe Colomycin Tablets if you are pregnant or
breast-feeding. Ask your doctor for advice before taking any medicine.

If you use more Colomycin Tablets than you should
It is important to keep to the dose on the label of your medicine. In the event
that you take too much, or if someone else takes your medicine, it is unlikely
that there will be any side effects but take the bottle to your doctor and ask for
advice. Alternatively, contact the accident and emergency department of your
nearest hospital.
If you forget to take Colomycin Tablets
If the forgotten dose is just a few hours late, take it straight away. If it is nearly
time for your next dose miss out the forgotten one. Do not take a double dose
to make up for the missed dose.
If you have any further questions on the use of Colomycin Tablets, ask your
doctor.
4. Side Effects
Most people taking Colomycin Tablets do not experience side effects.
If you think that you are experiencing a side effect related to Colomycin Tablets,
contact your doctor or pharmacist.
5. How to Store Colomycin Tablets
Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use Colomycin Tablets after the expiry date printed on the
container label. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Store in the original container to protect from light. Do not store above 25°C.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Return
any unused medicine to your pharmacy for safe disposal.
6. Further Information
What Colomycin Tablets contain
The active substance is colistin sulphate. Colomycin Tablets contain 1,500,000
units colistin sulphate per tablet.
The other ingredients are microcrystalline cellulose, maize starch, colloidal silicon
dioxide and hydrogenated castor oil. Colomycin Tablets are sodium free.
What Colomycin Tablets look like and contents of the pack
Colomycin Tablets are supplied in containers of 50 tablets.
The Marketing Authorisation holder is
Forest Laboratories UK Ltd, Dartford, Kent DA2 6SL, UK
The Manufacturer and site of batch release for Colomycin Tablets is
Penn Pharmaceutical Services Ltd, Tredegar, Gwent NP22 3AA, UK
This leaflet was last revised in January 2012

Other formats:
To listen to or to request a copy of this leaflet in Braille, large print or audio
please call, free of charge:
0800 198 5000 (UK only)
Please be ready to give the following information:
Product Name

Reference Number

Colomycin Tablets

0108/5008R

Forest Laboratories
Colomycin Leaflet

Forest Job No.:

Black

100% 95%

50%

5%

Product Name
Market
Component
No. of Colours
Profile
Dimensions
Point of Sale Code
Pharmacode
Production Site No.
Packaging
Supplier
Originated on
Originated by
Originated at

Colomycin
To be confirmed
LEAFLET
One
As base on artwork
105 x 280mm
N/A
N/A
To be confirmed
To be confirmed
25/08/2011
Operator 006
ARK

Proof Status
DRAFT 3
Amended by
Operator 006
Date Completed 19/01/2012
TEXT SIZES
Smallest Text
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9pt
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FONTS USED
Frutiger

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Forest Regulatory

3. How to take Colomycin Tablets
Colomycin Tablets should be swallowed with a small amount of water, or they
can be crushed and dissolved in a small amount of liquid before swallowing.
Dose
Your doctor will choose the dose suitable for you. Always follow the doctor’s
instructions.

This is a service provided by the Royal National Institute of Blind People.
Patients in the Republic of Ireland with visual impairment requiring this
information in other formats should telephone Forest Laboratories UK Ltd.
+44 (0) 1322 421 800

Dose

Children between 15 and 30kg:

1/2 to 1 tablet
every 8 hours

Adults, the elderly
and children over 30kg:

1 or 2 tablets
every 8 hours

FRONT

Forest Approval
ARK Pharma Graphics Ltd
Crown House Business Centre,
Home Gardens,
Dartford, Kent, DA1 1DZ.
Tel +44(0)1322 424656

For guidance typical doses are as follows:
Age and Weight

Forest Market Affiliate

Forest Version 2 - November 2009

BACK

Bar prints 100mm @ 100%

Colomycin Tablets 1,500,000 units
COLISTIN SULPHATE
PACKAGE LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER

Duration of treatment
Your doctor will decide on the length of your course of treatment. Usually, for
gut infections, it will be at least five days. For bowel preparation, you will be
given a 24 hour course of treatment which should finish twelve hours before
your operation/procedure.