Polymyxins: a review of the current status including recent developments.
BACKGROUND
Polymyxins have become the drug of choice for treatment of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacilli infections in Singapore, simply because these pathogens are only susceptible to either aminoglycosides and polymyxins, or polymyxins only. Furthermore, there is no new antibiotic in the pipeline that targets these difficult-to-treat infections.


METHODS
All published literatures (up to end of February 2008) regarding polymyxins are included for review.


RESULTS
This review serves to give a summary of polymyxins from the current available literature, highlighting relevant clinical studies and information that help to guide informed prescription of polymyxins, should the need arise.


CONCLUSIONS
However, there are substantial information gaps that needed to be filled urgently, to preserve the clinical utility of this very last line of antibiotic.
Kwa
Andrea L
AL
Department of Pharmacy, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore. andrea.kwa.l.h@sgh.com.sg
Tam
Vincent H
VH
Falagas
Matthew E
ME
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D011113:Polymyxins / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012846:Singapore
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D011113:Polymyxins