Aerosolized and Intravenous Colistin in Healthy Adults

Colistin is amphipathic, cannot be absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and is administered intramuscularly, intravenously (IV) or via inhalation. In the case of pneumonia, aerosolized route of administration is favorable as it presumably delivers a high concentration of drug directly to the infection site. Colistimethate sodium is an FDA approved drug, however, its aerosolized use represents a new method of administration not currently FDA-approved in the United States. In this proposal, the inactive prodrug colistimethate sodium has been selected to use for aerosolization as it is better tolerated than colistin sulphate. It is a randomized, open-labeled Phase 1 trial of aerosolized and/or IV formulations of colistin as multiple doses over seven days. The primary objective of this trial is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of multiple doses of aerosolized and intravenous colistimethate sodium separately or in combination in healthy adult subjects.