Apnea With Intramuscular Colistin Therapy

Abstract
Apnea, attributed to sodium colistimethate therapy, occurred in a 50-year-old Negro male. Sufficient evidence now exists to confirm that colistimethate may be neurotoxic in humans. Awareness of potential colistimethate toxicity may dictate added caution in treating infections in patients with chronic debilitating diseases, chronic renal disease, hypoxic states, or those receiving muscle relaxants, adrenocorticosteroids, sedatives, narcotics, or anesthetic agents.