| polymyxin | <chemical> Basic polypeptide antibiotic group obtained from bacillus polymyxa. They affect the cell membrane by detergent action and may cause neuromuscular and kidney damage. at least eleven different members of the polymyxin group have been identified, each designated by a letter. Pharmacological action: antibiotics, peptide. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| polymyxin acylase | <enzyme> Deacylates polymyxin, colistin and octapeptin antibiotic Registry number: EC 3.5.1.- (26 Jun 1999) |
| polymyxin b | <chemical> 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 infections with gram-negative organisms, but may be neurotoxic and nephrotoxic. Pharmacological action: antibiotics, peptide. Chemical name: Polymyxin B (12 Dec 1998) |
| polymyxin B sulfate | An antibacterial effective in tularaemia, brucellosis, Pseudomonas infections, and urinary tract infections, but used systemically only for severe infections not responsive to less toxic agents; it is also used locally. Polymyxin B is a mixture of polymyxin B1 and polymyxin B2. (05 Mar 2000) |
| polymyxins | Group of peptide antibiotics produced by Bacillus spp. Molecular weights are around 1000-1200 and the molecules are cyclic. Act against many gram-negative bacteria, working apparently by increasing membrane permeability. (18 Nov 1997) |