This website is intended for patients or carers for people prescribed Colobreathe® (colistimethate sodium) living in the UK. The information on this website is intended to supplement, not replace, discussions with your healthcare team and should also be used in conjunction with the Patient Information Leaflet provided with your medicine. Information about the reporting of side effects can be found at the bottom of this page.
Patient Information Leaflet

COLOBREATHE® Patient Information Hub

WHAT IS Colobreathe®?

Colobreathe® is a medication that is used to control persistent (longstanding) lung infections caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa in adult patients and children aged 6 years and older with cystic fibrosis.

Information about Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a very common bacterium that infects almost all cystic fibrosis patients at some point in their lives.

It is crucial to control this type of infection, as it can cause damage to the lungs.

How Colobreathe® works

When Colobreathe® is inhaled into the lungs it targets Pseudomonas aeruginosa, killing the bacteria and helping to control the infection.

Colobreathe® contains colistimethate sodium, an antibiotic from the polymyxin class which works by damaging bacterial cell membranes.

WHAT'S IN the pack?

Each pack contains:

  • One Turbospin® inhaler
  • Fifty-six capsules, enough for 28 days of treatment
  • Colobreathe® Patient Information Leaflet

For further information on how to use Colobreathe®, refer to the Colobreathe® Patient Information Leaflet.

HOW TO USE Colobreathe®

  • Colobreathe® comes in the form of capsules, which contain fine powder to be inhaled into the lungs
  • The Turbospin® inhaler is used to inhale the powder into the lungs
  • One dose should be inhaled twice daily, ideally as close to 12 hours apart as possible (for example, one in the morning at 08:00 and the other in the evening at 20:00)
  • Your healthcare team will tell you when to take your doses
  • For more information on Colobreathe®, please visit the Resources page
Do not swallow the capsules

IMPORTANT safety information

Allergic reactions
An allergic reaction with Colobreathe® is possible (typically serious allergic reactions may cause rashes, swelling of the face, tongue and neck, inability to breathe due to narrowing of the airways and loss of consciousness). If you/your child experience signs of an allergic reaction you should seek urgent medical attention.
Other possible side effects
You/your child may get an unpleasant taste in your mouth after inhaling Colobreathe®.
VERY COMMON SIDE EFFECTS
(may affect more than 1 in 10 people taking Colobreathe) include:
Difficulty in breathing
Cough, throat irritation
Hoarse or weak voice, or even loss of voice
Unpleasant taste
COMMON SIDE EFFECTS
(may affect up to 1 in 10 people taking Colobreathe) include:
Headache
Ringing or buzzing noises in the ear, problems with balance
Coughing up blood, wheezing, chest discomfort, asthma, productive cough (brings up mucus), infection of the lungs, lung crackles (your doctor would hear this when listening to your lungs with a stethoscope)
Vomiting, nausea
Changes in how your lungs function (found by testing)
Joint pains
Lack of energy, tiredness
Raised temperature
For full information about side effects please consult the Patient Information Leaflet.

CF, cystic fibrosis.

Reporting of side effects: If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in the package leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

Essential Pharma Ltd, 8A Crabtree Road, Egham, Surrey, TW20 8RN, United Kingdom
Colobreathe® is a registered trademark of Essential Pharma. Copyright © 2026 Essential Pharma
MAT-COL-GB-0008-1224 May 2025

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