Colistin is actually used as the secondary inhaled drug in the US when tobi becomes somewhat ineffective or someone starts to build a slight resistance to it.
Also, there is no medical fact to this but my husband experienced an adverse reaction to the colistin when he used it. His testosterone level plummetted, his FSH and LH levels also became non-existent. This all occured right before an in-vetro procedure we were suppose to have, and couldn't proceed because his body wasn't producting testosterone/LH/FSH and therefore no sperm. The doctors are convinced it is something other than the colistin, but the problems started about a month after the very first use, and then when he quit using it-they started to normalize about 1-2 months later, so I really dont care what they say or think, I know my gut. As per the colistin leaflet that is given with the medication, there have been NO studies on how it effects reproduction-so be careful. Both Tobi and Pulmozyme (not an antibiotic) list the results of reproductive tests on mice who have used 20 times the prescribed dose. I have contacted the FDA, but since the drug is already on the market they aren't really willing to do anything about it. I guess it will have to become a big issue like vioxx-for example-before any of the big people will really care.
Julie (wife to Mark 24 w/CF)