title: Product information for parenteral colistin varies substantially across Europe.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Colistin is the first revived antibiotic to undergo substantial 'redevelopment' in academic settings. This study investigated the variation and accuracy of information in the summary of product characteristics (SPC) of intravenous colistin products approved in the European Union.
  
  
  METHODS
  The dosing, indication and pharmacokinetic information in the SPCs of approved intravenous colistin products in 21 European countries were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In general, some SPCs have been updated over recent years though vital aspects of dosing recommendations, indications and pharmacokinetic information show a rather broad variation. The importance of a loading dose and of a daily dose >6 million international units in critically ill patients with good renal function is not considered in all SPCs. The pharmacokinetic section and dosing recommendations for special patient populations require careful review and updating, in order to take account of newly published data.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study highlights the challenges of integrating new rapidly evolving scientific knowledge into approved SPCs in Europe.
authors.affiliation: Center for Anti-Infective Agents, Vienna, Austria utheuretzbacher@cefaia.com.
authors.forename: Ursula
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Theuretzbacher
mesh_terms: D061605:Administration, Intravenous; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003091:Colistin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005062:European Union; D006801:Humans; D011356:Product Labeling / Q000592:standards*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003091:Colistin
keywords: SPCs; antibacterial drugs; dosing; regulatory