Vancomycin

Generic name: Vancomycin (oral)
Drug class: Glycopeptide antibiotics

Usage of Vancomycin

Vancomycin is an antibiotic. Oral (taken by mouth) vancomycin fights bacteria in the intestines.

Vancomycin is used to treat an infection of the intestines caused by Clostridium difficile, which can cause watery or bloody diarrhea. This medicine is also used to treat staph infections that can cause inflammation of the colon and small intestines.

Oral vancomycin works only in the intestines and is not normally absorbed into the body. vancomycin will not treat other types of infection. An injectable form of this medicine is available to treat serious infections in other parts of the body.

Vancomycin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic Reaction to vancomycin: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Certain side effects may occur if your body absorbs vancomycin through the intestinal walls. Call your doctor at once if you have:

increased diarrhea that is watery or bloody;

hearing loss, ringing in your ears;

kidney problems - swelling, rapid weight gain, pain in your side or lower back, little or no urination; or

low potassium level - leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp feeling.

Side effects on the kidneys may be more likely in older adults taking this medicine.

Common vancomycin side effects may include:

low potassium;

nausea; or

stomach pain.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Vancomycin

You should not vancomycin if you are allergic to it.

To make sure vancomycin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

an intestinal disorder such as inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis;

kidney disease;

hearing problems; or

if you are receiving any intravenous (IV) antibiotics.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Relate drugs

How to use Vancomycin

Usual Adult Dose for Pseudomembranous Colitis:

Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea: 125 mg orally 4 times a day -Duration of therapy: 10 days Enterocolitis: 500 mg to 2 g orally per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day -Maximum dose: 2 g/day -Duration of therapy: 7 to 10 days Comment: Formulations administered by injection will not treat colitis. Uses: -Treatment of C difficile-associated diarrhea -Treatment of enterocolitis caused by S aureus (including MRSA) Society of Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) and IDSA Recommendations: Initial treatment of severe C difficile infection (CDI): 125 mg orally 4 times a day -Duration of therapy: 10 to 14 days Severe, complicated CDI: 500 mg orally 4 times a day AND 500 mg (in 100 mL normal saline) rectally every 6 hours with/without IV metronidazole Comments: -Rectal formulations should be administered as a retention enema. -The first recurrence of CDI may be treated with the initial treatment regimen; a second recurrence of CDI may be treated with a tapered/pulsed regimen of this drug. Uses: -Initial treatment of patients with severe CDI -Initial treatment of patients with complicated, severe CDI

Usual Adult Dose for Enterocolitis:

Warnings

Oral vancomycin works only in the intestines and will not treat infections in other parts of the body. Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

What other drugs will affect Vancomycin

Other drugs may interact with vancomycin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Disclaimer

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