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polymyxin

polymyxin

1 9.3
An antibiotic from soil bacteria that treats serious infections but can be toxic
  • noun
  • /ˌpɒlɪˈmɪksɪn/
  • Specialized
: polimixina
  • In 2001, Morpeth et al. compared topical ciprofloxacin/hydrocortisone drops with neomycin/polymyxin B/hydrocortisone drops.
  • polymyxin B and hydrocortisone
  • polymyxin B
  • polymyxin B drops

Examples

  • The aminoglycoside antibiotics and polymyxin B are devastatingly ototoxic in animals.

    Academic text (2004)
  • We don't use neomycin/polymyxin B/hydrocortisone much anymore.

    Academic text (2002)
  • Its antipseudomonal activity is found in the neomycin and polymyxin B components.

    Academic text (2002)
  • Neomycin/polymyxin B/hydrocortisone otic suspension is one of the more widely prescribed eardrops in the United States.

    Academic text (2002)
  • Miro conducted a comparison trial of ciprofloxacin and neomycin/polymyxin B/hydrocortisone in 232 patients with CSOM.

    Academic text (2005)
  • The major components of these products are anti-infectives such as polymyxin B, neomycin, gentamicin, and chloramphenicol in a non-aqueous hygroscopic vehicle, to which a corticosteroid is frequently added.

    Academic text (2004)
  • A single dose of neomycin/polymyxin B/hydrocortisone into the external auditory canal of a chinchilla passes easily through a tympanostomy tube and produces a significant loss of hair cells in the basal turn of the cochlea.

    Academic text (2004)
  • When acidic drops—for example, neomycin/polymyxin B/hydrocortisone preparations, whose pH levels range between 3.0 and 3.5 depending on the manufacturer—are placed in the middle ear, they can cause intense burning and pain.

    Academic text (2004)
  • The doctor prescribed polymyxin to treat the patient's severe bacterial infection.

  • Infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria can be effectively targeted with polymyxin antibiotics.

Surface Forms

polymyxin singular
polymyxins plural

Etymology

The word polymyxin comes from the Greek parts poly- 'many' and myx- 'mucus', and it was named after the slime-like bacteria that make it. So polymyxin is an antibiotic made by soil bacteria, which helps explain why it is a natural but sometimes toxic medicine used for serious infections.