TRIAL RESULTS · SIDE EFFECTS
Colistin side effects
ANSWER
In 1 placebo-controlled trial with posted results, the most common side effects of Colistin were acute kidney injury 30.3% (placebo 33.9%), creatinine increased 20.2% (placebo 23.5%), sepsis 9.6% (placebo 10.4%). Read from ClinicalTrials.gov on 2026-10-03. Not medical advice.
Trial register
Trials with posted results
2
with an arm on Colistin, of 130 registered
Against placebo
1
placebo-controlled trials
People in those trials
228
on Colistin · 230 on placebo
Read
2026-10-03
ClinicalTrials.gov
VS PLACEBO
Most common side effects, Colistin beside placebo
Share of people with each side effect in 1 placebo-controlled trial with posted results: 228 people on Colistin (all doses), 230 on placebo, same trials. Listed only when reported for at least half of the people on Colistin. Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, read 2026-10-03. Not medical advice.
ALL TRIALS
The 100 most reported of 445 side effects reported
Every trial with posted results and an arm on Colistin (n ≥ 20), all phases, by people affected. Placebo is shown where placebo-controlled trials reported the same event. Comparator arms are not counted.
| Side effect | Organ system | Colistin | Placebo | Trials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acute kidney injury | Renal and urinary disorders | 29.3% (73 of 249) | 33.9% | 2 |
| Creatinine increased | Investigations | 20.2% (46 of 228) | 23.5% | 1 |
| Sepsis | Infections and infestations | 10.0% (25 of 249) | 10.4% | 2 |
| Aspartate aminotransferase increase | Investigations | 4.4% (10 of 228) | 5.7% | 1 |
| Hypokalemia | Metabolism and nutrition disorders | 4.4% (10 of 228) | 4.8% | 1 |
| Blood bilirubin increased | Investigations | 3.6% (9 of 249) | 5.7% | 2 |
| Aspartate aminotransferase increased | Investigations | 3.9% (9 of 228) | 3.5% | 1 |
| Septic shock | Infections and infestations | 2.8% (7 of 249) | 3.5% | 2 |
| ALT increased | Investigations | 3.1% (7 of 228) | 1.3% | 1 |
| Pneumonia | Infections and infestations | 2.4% (6 of 249) | 1.3% | 2 |
| Anemia | Blood and lymphatic system disorders | 2.6% (6 of 228) | 5.2% | 1 |
| Hypoalbuminemia | Metabolism and nutrition disorders | 2.2% (5 of 228) | 3.9% | 1 |
| Hypomagnesemia | Metabolism and nutrition disorders | 2.2% (5 of 228) | 3.0% | 1 |
| Proteinuria | Renal and urinary disorders | 2.2% (5 of 228) | 2.2% | 1 |
| Thrombocytopenia | Blood and lymphatic system disorders | 1.6% (4 of 249) | 0.4% | 2 |
| Fever | General disorders | 1.8% (4 of 228) | 1.7% | 1 |
| Hematuria | Renal and urinary disorders | 1.8% (4 of 228) | 1.3% | 1 |
| Hyperglycemia | Metabolism and nutrition disorders | 1.8% (4 of 228) | 2.6% | 1 |
| Hypernatremia | Metabolism and nutrition disorders | 1.8% (4 of 228) | 1.7% | 1 |
| Prothrombin time increased | Investigations | 1.8% (4 of 228) | 1.3% | 1 |
| Tachypnea | Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | 1.8% (4 of 228) | 2.2% | 1 |
| Urine leukocyte esterase positive | Investigations | 1.8% (4 of 228) | 0.9% | 1 |
| Bronchospasm | Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | 1.2% (3 of 249) | 0.4% | 2 |
| Hypoalbuminaemia | Metabolism and nutrition disorders | 1.2% (3 of 249) | 0.0% | 2 |
| Hypotension | Vascular disorders | 1.2% (3 of 249) | 1.3% | 2 |
| Leukocytosis | Blood and lymphatic system disorders | 1.2% (3 of 249) | 1.3% | 2 |
| Vomiting | Gastrointestinal disorders | 1.2% (3 of 249) | 1.3% | 2 |
| Alkaline phosphatase increased | Investigations | 1.3% (3 of 228) | 3.5% | 1 |
| Asystole | Cardiac disorders | 1.3% (3 of 228) | 0.4% | 1 |
| Band neutrophil count increased | Investigations | 1.3% (3 of 228) | 1.3% | 1 |
| Bilirubin total increased | Investigations | 1.3% (3 of 228) | 0.4% | 1 |
| Blood carbon dioxide increased | Investigations | 1.3% (3 of 228) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Blood chloride increased | Investigations | 1.3% (3 of 228) | 0.9% | 1 |
| Blood lactate dehydrogenase increased | Investigations | 1.3% (3 of 228) | 3.5% | 1 |
| Blood urea nitrogen increased | Investigations | 1.3% (3 of 228) | 1.7% | 1 |
| Hypocalcemia | Metabolism and nutrition disorders | 1.3% (3 of 228) | 2.6% | 1 |
| INR increased | Investigations | 1.3% (3 of 228) | 1.7% | 1 |
| Maculopapular rash | Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | 1.3% (3 of 228) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Platelet count decreased | Investigations | 1.3% (3 of 228) | 0.9% | 1 |
| Progressive renal failure | Renal and urinary disorders | 1.3% (3 of 228) | 0.4% | 1 |
| Serum total protein decreased | Investigations | 1.3% (3 of 228) | 1.3% | 1 |
| Tachycardia | Cardiac disorders | 1.3% (3 of 228) | 0.9% | 1 |
| Atrial fibrillation | Cardiac disorders | 0.8% (2 of 249) | 0.0% | 2 |
| Dehydration | Metabolism and nutrition disorders | 0.8% (2 of 249) | 0.0% | 2 |
| Pleural effusion | Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | 0.8% (2 of 249) | 0.0% | 2 |
| Pneumonia aspiration | Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | 0.8% (2 of 249) | 0.0% | 2 |
| AST increased | Investigations | 0.9% (2 of 228) | 0.9% | 1 |
| Abdominal distension | Gastrointestinal disorders | 0.9% (2 of 228) | 0.4% | 1 |
| Abnormal arterial blood gases | Investigations | 0.9% (2 of 228) | 2.6% | 1 |
| Absolute lymphocyte count increased | Investigations | 0.9% (2 of 228) | 0.4% | 1 |
| Acidosis | Metabolism and nutrition disorders | 0.9% (2 of 228) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Alanine aminotransferase increased | Investigations | 0.9% (2 of 228) | 2.6% | 1 |
| Atelectasis | Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | 0.9% (2 of 228) | 0.4% | 1 |
| Bacteria urine identified | Investigations | 0.9% (2 of 228) | 0.9% | 1 |
| Blood alkaline phosphatase increased | Investigations | 0.9% (2 of 228) | 1.3% | 1 |
| Blood chloride decreased | Investigations | 0.9% (2 of 228) | 0.4% | 1 |
| Blood eosinophils increased | Investigations | 0.9% (2 of 228) | 0.9% | 1 |
| Blood pressure diastolic decreased | Investigations | 0.9% (2 of 228) | 3.5% | 1 |
| Body temperature decrease | Investigations | 0.9% (2 of 228) | 0.9% | 1 |
| Bradycardia | Cardiac disorders | 0.9% (2 of 228) | 1.3% | 1 |
| Diarrhea | Gastrointestinal disorders | 0.9% (2 of 228) | 2.2% | 1 |
| Direct bilirubin increased | Investigations | 0.9% (2 of 228) | 1.3% | 1 |
| Hemoglobin decreased | Investigations | 0.9% (2 of 228) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Hyperkalemia | Metabolism and nutrition disorders | 0.9% (2 of 228) | 2.2% | 1 |
| Hyperphosphatemia | Metabolism and nutrition disorders | 0.9% (2 of 228) | 1.3% | 1 |
| Hypertension | Vascular disorders | 0.9% (2 of 228) | 1.7% | 1 |
| Hypoglycemia | Metabolism and nutrition disorders | 0.9% (2 of 228) | 1.7% | 1 |
| Hyponatremia | Metabolism and nutrition disorders | 0.9% (2 of 228) | 3.0% | 1 |
| Leukopenia | Blood and lymphatic system disorders | 0.9% (2 of 228) | 0.4% | 1 |
| Lymphocyte count decreased | Investigations | 0.9% (2 of 228) | 0.4% | 1 |
| Lymphocyte percentage decreased | Investigations | 0.9% (2 of 228) | 1.3% | 1 |
| Maculo-papular rash | Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | 0.9% (2 of 228) | 0.4% | 1 |
| Obesity | Metabolism and nutrition disorders | 0.9% (2 of 228) | 0.4% | 1 |
| Platelet count increased | Investigations | 0.9% (2 of 228) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Red blood cell morphology abnormal | Investigations | 0.9% (2 of 228) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Renal injury | Renal and urinary disorders | 0.9% (2 of 228) | 0.4% | 1 |
| Respiratory failure | Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | 0.9% (2 of 228) | 2.2% | 1 |
| Seizure | Nervous system disorders | 0.9% (2 of 228) | 1.3% | 1 |
| Subcutaneous emphysema | Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | 0.9% (2 of 228) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Troponin I increased | Investigations | 0.9% (2 of 228) | 0.4% | 1 |
| Urine red blood cells increased | Investigations | 0.9% (2 of 228) | 0.4% | 1 |
| Urobilinogen urine increased | Investigations | 0.9% (2 of 228) | 0.0% | 1 |
| WBC increased | Investigations | 0.9% (2 of 228) | 0.4% | 1 |
| Delirium | Psychiatric disorders | 9.5% (2 of 21) | - | 1 |
| Blood creatinine increased | Investigations | 9.5% (2 of 21) | - | 1 |
| Anaemia | Blood and lymphatic system disorders | 9.5% (2 of 21) | - | 1 |
| Diarrhoea | Gastrointestinal disorders | 9.5% (2 of 21) | - | 1 |
| Cardiac Arrest | Cardiac disorders | 9.5% (2 of 21) | - | 1 |
| Constipation | Gastrointestinal disorders | 0.4% (1 of 249) | 0.4% | 2 |
| Depression | Psychiatric disorders | 0.4% (1 of 249) | 0.0% | 2 |
| Lung infection | Infections and infestations | 0.4% (1 of 249) | 0.4% | 2 |
| Nausea | Gastrointestinal disorders | 0.4% (1 of 249) | 0.4% | 2 |
| Urinary tract infection | Infections and infestations | 0.4% (1 of 249) | 0.0% | 2 |
| Skin infection | Infections and infestations | 0.4% (1 of 249) | 0.0% | 2 |
| APTT increased | Investigations | 0.4% (1 of 228) | 0.0% | 1 |
| AV block first degree | Cardiac disorders | 0.4% (1 of 228) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Abdominal pain generalised | Gastrointestinal disorders | 0.4% (1 of 228) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Abdominal tenderness | Gastrointestinal disorders | 0.4% (1 of 228) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Above knee amputation | Surgical and medical procedures | 0.4% (1 of 228) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Absolute lymphocyte count decreased | Investigations | 0.4% (1 of 228) | 0.4% | 1 |
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov posted results, read 2026-10-03. A trial lists events above its own reporting threshold, so a rare event may be missing from some trials. Not medical advice.
QUESTIONS
Does colistin cause acute kidney injury?
In 1 placebo-controlled trial with posted results, 30.3% of people on colistin reported acute kidney injury, against 33.9% on placebo. Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, read 2026-10-03. Not medical advice.
Does colistin cause creatinine increased?
In 1 placebo-controlled trial with posted results, 20.2% of people on colistin reported creatinine increased, against 23.5% on placebo. Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, read 2026-10-03. Not medical advice.
Does colistin cause sepsis?
In 1 placebo-controlled trial with posted results, 9.6% of people on colistin reported sepsis, against 10.4% on placebo. Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, read 2026-10-03. Not medical advice.
Does colistin cause aspartate aminotransferase increase?
In 1 placebo-controlled trial with posted results, 4.4% of people on colistin reported aspartate aminotransferase increase, against 5.7% on placebo. Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, read 2026-10-03. Not medical advice.
Does colistin cause hypokalemia?
In 1 placebo-controlled trial with posted results, 4.4% of people on colistin reported hypokalemia, against 4.8% on placebo. Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, read 2026-10-03. Not medical advice.
REGISTERED STUDIES
130 registered clinical trials of Colistin
The 10 most recently updated are listed.
| 2022-501575-12-00 | C3601008 - A PHASE 2A MULTICENTER, OBSERVER-BLINDED, RANDOMIZED 2 ARM STUDY TO INVESTIGATE PHARMACOKINETICS, SAFETY, TOLERABILITY AND EFFICACY OF INTRAVENOUS AZTREONAM-AVIBACTAM ± METRONIDAZOLE COMPARED TO BEST AVAILABLE THERAPY (BAT) IN PEDIATRIC PARTICIPANTS 9 MONTHS TO LESS THAN 18 YEARS OF AGE WITH SERIOUS GRAM-NEGATIVE BACTERIAL INFECTIONS INCLUDING COMPLICATED INTRA-ABDOMINAL INFECTION Status: UNKNOWN · Updated 2026-09-16 |
|---|---|
| NCT06819462 | Inhaled Colistin to Prevent Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in Patients With Acute Brain Injury Status: RECRUITING · Updated 2026-09-15 |
| 2025-524657-14-00 | Comparative bioavailability study of Colistin Cyclops® administered as 3 different doses Status: UNKNOWN · Updated 2026-09-14 |
| NCT07082465 | Epidemiology of Antimicrobial-use and Antimicrobial-resistant Infections in Four Hospitals in Thailand Status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING · Updated 2026-08-14 |
| 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 products with or without an individualized donor selection approach in decolonizing carriers of multi-drug resistant Enterobacteriaceae (RESET-MDR) Status: UNKNOWN · Updated 2026-07-22 |
| NCT07512596 | Study on the Safety and Efficacy of Polymyxin E2 Methanesulfonate for Injection in the Treatment of Hospital-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia/Ventilator-Associated Bacterial Pneumonia Caused by Carbapenem-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Updated 2026-07-17 |
| NCT07694700 | Colistin and Meropenem Versus Amikacin and Meropenem for MDR Gram Negative Bacteria Regarding Efficacy and Safety. Status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING · Updated 2026-07-14 |
| NCT06087536 | A Clinical Trial to Assess the Safety and PK of OMN6 in HABP or VABP Caused by Acinetobacter Baumannii Complex Status: RECRUITING · Updated 2026-07-02 |
| NCT07671755 | Colistin Versus Colistin Combined With Cefoperazone-sulbactam for Multiresistant Acinetobactor Baumannii Ventilator-associated Pneumonia Treatment Status: COMPLETED · Updated 2026-06-26 |
| NCT07668141 | Colistin Nephrotoxicity and Role of Alpha Lipoic Acid Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Updated 2026-06-25 |
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