Colistimethate Sodium and Simvastatin

• Generic Name: colistimethate
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Coly Mycin M

Treatment of acute or chronic infections caused by certain susceptible gram-negative bacteria (e.g., Enterobacter aerogenes, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa).

Used only when the causative agent is susceptible and other more effective and less toxic anti-infectives are contraindicated or ineffective.

May be useful alone or in conjunction with other anti-infectives for treatment of infections caused by multiple-drug resistant gram-negative bacteria, such as respiratory tract infections in cystic fibrosis patients caused by multiple-drug resistant Ps. aeruginosa.

Not indicated for infections caused by Proteus or Neisseria.

Administered by oral inhalation via nebulization in adult and pediatric cystic fibrosis patients for early treatment of Ps. aeruginosa respiratory tract infections and for suppressive therapy in those colonized with Ps. aeruginosa.

Safety and efficacy not established and the drug is not labeled by FDA for administration via nebulization. Adverse respiratory effects (e.g., bronchoconstriction) have occurred with this route and there has been at least one fatality in a patient who self-administered a nebulizer treatment using a premixed solution of the drug. (See Respiratory Effects under Cautions.)

• Generic Name: simvastatin
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Zocor, Flolipid

Simvastatin belongs to a group of drugs called HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, or "statins."

Simvastatin is used to lower blood levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL), to increase levels of "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL), and to lower triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood).

Simvastatin is also used to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, and other heart complications in people with diabetes, coronary heart disease, or other risk factors.

Simvastatin is used in adults and children who are at least 10 years old.