Nebulised Colomycin

Nebulised Colomycin is an antibiotic that is used for the treatment of chest infections with certain bacterial organisms.
In Cystic Fibrosis, patients who have their first pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) chest infection should start nebulised Colomycin twice daily and continue this treatment at home for three months. Patients who have established or repeated infection with PA are prescribed nebulised Colomycin on a twice daily regime on a permanent basis.

Possible side effects

There is a potential risk that nebulised Colomycin may cause chest wheeze, although this is very rare it may be prevented or treated with inhaled medication that opens up the air passages e.g. Ventolin.
Other side effects include sore throat and cough.

Symptoms of possible mild allergic reactions.
• Rash
• Temperature
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea

If any of the above symptoms occur please inform a member of the Cystic Fibrosis team before giving any further doses

Anaphylactic reaction is a very rare severe form of reaction that can be potentially fatal, this requires immediate medical treatment.

Symptoms of possible anaphylactic reactions.
• Difficulty in breathing
• Wheeze
• Swelling/ Puffiness of face and lips
• Skin Redness

Dial 999 immediately if your child shows any of the symptoms of anaphylactic reaction. Explain that your child has Cystic Fibrosis and has had nebulised Colomycin and that they are having a severe reaction.

How to prepare nebulised Colomycin

Equipment

• 5ml syringe
• 5ml sodium chloride 0.9% (saline)
• 5ml water for injection
• Colomycin 1 mega unit
• Nebuliser & Compressor

1. Check correct vial and dose. Check expiry date.
2. Open syringe, remove lid from Colomycin vial.
3. Draw up 2mls of saline and add to Colomycin.
4. Draw up 1ml of water and add to Colomycin.
5. Roll Colomycin vial between hands until dissolved. Do not shake.
6. When dissolved, pour Colomycin from vial into nebuliser pot.

Once mixed Colomycin should be used within 24 hours, therefore do not make up more than two doses at a time.

It is important to use the correct portable nebuliser system with Colomycin, this will be supplied for you from the Cystic Fibrosis nurse or physiotherapist. Instructions on how to use your nebuliser will also be given.

If your chemist dispenses glass vials of water for injection or sodium chloride contact Cystic Fibrosis nurse or Physiotherapist as you will have to use blue needles, we will provide you with a sharps bin for safe disposal of the needles.

Dose; 1,000,000 units. (1 mega unit)
Given two times a day, after physiotherapy
The nebuliser equipment needs to be cleaned after each dose following instructions given by Cystic Fibrosis nurse or physiotherapist. This depends on which equipment you are using.

Once a week the nebuliser should be sterilized in either steam sterilizer or boiled for ten mins in distilled or tap water, again this depends on specific equipment used.

If you require any further information please contact the Children’s Cystic Fibrosis Nurse Specialists 0191 2825314 9am-5pm Monday to Friday.

Produced by Janis Bloomer Children’s CF Nurse Specialist
May 2007, reviewed September 2007
Review date September 2009