COMPARISON
Colistin vs Vancomycin
3 attributes held for at least one of the two. 2 differ. Each value carries the register it came from and the date that register was read.
Answer
Colistin is authorised or registered in 7 and Vancomycin in 9 of the 10 registers read. Colistin: highest phase Phase 4 (after approval). Vancomycin: highest phase Phase 4 (after approval). 6 registered trials include both.
States no view on which is preferable, safer or more effective. Not medical advice.
| Colistin | Vancomycin | |
|---|---|---|
| Registered trials differs | 130 clinicaltrials.gov · 2026-10-03 | 738 clinicaltrials.gov · 2026-10-03 |
| FDA label differs | FDA-approved: Cortisporin TC openfda · 2026-10-03T17:23:44.062Z | FDA-approved: Vancomycin Hydrochloride openfda · 2026-10-03T17:23:44.062Z |
| EU authorisation | Nothing on record ema read 2026-08-31 | Nothing on record ema read 2026-08-31 |
SIDE EFFECTS
Most common side effects, each beside its own placebo
| Side effect | Colistin | placebo | Vancomycin | placebo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acute kidney injury | 30.3% | 33.9% | - | - |
| Creatinine increased | 20.2% | 23.5% | - | - |
| Sepsis | 9.6% | 10.4% | - | - |
| Aspartate aminotransferase increase | 4.4% | 5.7% | - | - |
| Hypokalemia | 4.4% | 4.8% | - | - |
| Aspartate aminotransferase increased | 3.9% | 3.5% | - | - |
| Blood bilirubin increased | 3.9% | 5.7% | - | - |
| ALT increased | 3.1% | 1.3% | - | - |
| Anemia | 2.6% | 5.2% | - | - |
| Hypoalbuminemia | 2.2% | 3.9% | - | - |
| Cough | - | - | 16.1% | 12.3% |
| Headache | - | - | 5.8% | 6.4% |
| Nausea | - | - | 5.0% | 5.3% |
| Pyrexia | - | - | 5.0% | 4.4% |
| Diarrhoea | - | - | 4.7% | 4.8% |
| Vomiting | - | - | 2.3% | 5.2% |
Trial register Colistin: 1 placebo-controlled trials; Vancomycin: 5. Each peptide is compared with placebo in its own trials, not with the other: a dash means the event is not in that peptide's top list. Colistin side effects · Vancomycin side effects
LEGAL STATUS
Approval in each country read
| Country | Colistin | Vancomycin | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | FDA-approved | FDA-approved | Regulator FDA |
| European Union | Not on the register | Not on the register | Regulator EMA |
| United Kingdom | Authorised | Authorised | Regulator MHRA |
| Canada | Authorised | Authorised | Regulator Health Canada |
| Australia | Status unknown | Registered | TGA |
| Switzerland | Authorised | Authorised | Regulator Swissmedic |
| Brazil | Registado | Registado | Regulator ANVISA |
| Serbia | Authorised | Authorised | Regulator ALIMS |
| Singapore | Not on the register | Registered | Regulator HSA |
| Turkey | Ruhsatli | Ruhsatli | Regulator TITCK |
HEAD TO HEAD
6 registered trials include both
| 2022-501575-12-00 | C3601008 - A PHASE 2A MULTICENTER, OBSERVER-BLINDED, RANDOMIZED 2 ARM STUDY TO INVESTIGATE PHARMACOKINETICS, SAFETY, TOLERABILITY AND EFFICACY OF INTRAVENOUS AZ Not stated · updated 2026-09-16 |
|---|---|
| 2024-519748-34-00 | A Randomized controlled open-label phase II trial assessing the efficacy and safety of two-dosing regimens of frozen encapsulated fecal microbiota transfer prod Not stated · updated 2026-07-22 |
| 2024-516232-10-00 | Defining Antibiotic Levels in Intensive care patients (DALI-2) protocol - A multi-national pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic cohort study
to determine whether con Not stated · updated 2025-10-17 |
| NCT02099240 | Patients Response to Early Switch To Oral:Osteomyelitis Study TERMINATED · updated 2021-04-06 |
| NCT02573064 | Impact of Treatment With Colistin on Mortality Bacteremia Multiresistant Acinetobacter Baumannii Sensitive Colistin in Patients Critical COMPLETED · updated 2015-10-09 |
| NCT01798537 | Simplified Selective Digestive Tract Decontamination for the Prevention of Intensive Care Unit Acquired Infections UNKNOWN · updated 2013-02-26 |
Values reproduce public registers on the dates shown. This comparison states no view on which compound is preferable, safer or more effective. Not medical, legal or regulatory advice.
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