Antibiotic
polymyxin B
pol·y·myx·in b
Brand Names:
Casporyn HC; Cortisporin; Cortisporin Ointment; Cuadriderma; Lanabiotic; Maxitrol; Mycitracin Plus Pain Reliever; Neo-Polycin; Neo-Polycin HC; Oticin HC; Polycin; Poly-Dex; Polysporin; Polytrim; ProCoMycin; Spectrocin Plus; Surolan; Tri Biozene; Triplicin; Vetropolycin; Vetropolycin HC
Effect:
Cellular Structure Alteration
May Treat:
Bacteremia;
Escherichia coli Infections;
Eye Infections, Bacterial;
Gastrointestinal Diseases;
Haemophilus Infections;
Klebsiella Infections;
Meningitis, Bacterial;
Otitis Externa;
Pseudomonas Infections;
Skin Diseases;
Soft Tissue Infections;
Urinary Bladder Diseases;
Wounds and Injuries
More Information:
Definitions related to polymyxin b:
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A mixture of polymyxins B1 and B2, obtained from BACILLUS POLYMYXA strains. They are basic polypeptides of about eight amino acids and have cationic detergent action on cell membranes. Polymyxin B is used for treatment of infections with gram-negative bacteria, but may be neurotoxic and nephrotoxic.NLM Medical Subject HeadingsU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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A mixture of the polypeptides polymyxins B1 and B2, both obtained from Bacillus polymyxa strains, with antimicrobial activity. Polymyxin B exerts its antimicrobial effect through its cationic detergent action on cell membranes. Specifically, this antibiotic binds to the negatively charged site in the lipopolysaccharide layer of the bacterial cell membrane via electrostatic affinity with the positively charged amino groups in the cyclic peptide portion. Subsequently, the fatty acid portion of polymyxin B dissolves in the hydrophobic region of the bacterial cell membrane. This results in an alteration in cell membrane structure, disruption of cell wall integrity and an increase in permeability for water and molecules. This will eventually lead to bacterial cell death.NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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