***HELP< HELP COLISTIN MIXING

JazzysMom

New member
I was suppose to start Colistin. Since being told this I have had nothing but headaches getting everything I need for it especially syringes. Can those who use this med tell me what type/size/gauge syringes they use to draw the sterile water/salin & put it into the colistin vial to mix & then put it in the neb. Everyone involved in my case with this is confused & at the moment I have a shitload of syringes, that I found out this morning when I tried to mix for the first time, that are worthless to me. The company will replace them with what I need once I find that out. My doctors office seems to be in termoil since the Nurse of 30 years left & handled all of this. I am soooo disgusted & pissed off that I went to say the hell with it all, but I already have too much $$ invested so far that I cant stop now. I am too upset right now to talk to anyone at the office so I look to my fellow CFers for guidance until I calm down.
 

anonymous

New member
I use B-D brand 3ml 21g thats what the cf pharmacy sent me but any size should work as long as it has a needle on the end not just a syringe
 

JazzysMom

New member
The problem I am having is I was sent "short needle" syringes for insulin. I thought they would work. I can get the sterile water out with no problem, but its not long enough of a needle to get past the "long" top of the colisting vial.
 

julie

New member
Melissa, I was just as confused as you when mark first got Rx'd Colistin. Here's what works for us,

I have 3CC SYRINGES (NO NEEDLES ATTACHED!!!!) and 5CC SYRINGES, the maker/company is called KENDALL Monoject syringe and it's called a "luer lock". It works with this product <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.alarismed.com/na/products/search_results.asp">http://www.alarismed.com/na/products/search_results.asp</a> called the SMART SITE VIAL ACCESS DEVICE. Basically, you take the vial access device and snap it ontop of the colistin bottle. Then take a needless syringe (you can also get ones that come prefilled) and add:

NOW, THIS PART IS DIFFERENT FOR EVERYONE BECAUSE DIFFERENT DOCS RECOMMEND DIFFERENT VARATIONS OF MIXTURES, BUT THIS IS WHAT WORKED BEST FOR MARK:
1. 2CC of STERILE WATER into the vial of colistin, mix and let sit for about 30 minutes (most of the time we made it the night before)
2. Withdraw 3CC of the total solution (there will be 3 left for your next dosage as well) and put the 3cc's into the nebulizer cup
3. ADD 3CC's of NORMAL SALINE .9% to the nebulizer cup,
NEBULIZE away.....

The needless attachment system made our lives so much easier, it's worth looking into but you have to make sure you get syringes that are compatible. As frustrating as it can be, Mark had great benefits from this medication as do a lot of people, so hang in there long enough to give it a try.
 
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