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Vancomycin
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Description
Vancomycin is a bactericidal antibiotic. It is used in the treatment of infection of the intestine, blood, heart, and bone. Only the oral form of this medicine is used to treat colitis. Rapid intravenous infusion of this medicine may lower the blood pressure.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Vancomycin
Swelling of face, lips, eyelids, tongue, hands and feet
Fever
Back pain
Drowsiness
Changes in urine frequency
Skin rash
Abdominal pain
Headache
Bitter taste
Excessive air or gas in stomach
Uses of Vancomycin
What is it prescribed for?
Bacterial Septicemia
Vancomycin is used in the treatment of septicemia which is an infection of the blood caused by Staphylococci and Streptococcus pyogenes.
Endocarditis
Vancomycin is used in the treatment of endocarditis which is an infection of the inner lining of the heart caused by Streptococcus species and Staphylococcus species
Osteomyelitis
Vancomycin is used in the treatment of bone infections like osteomyelitis caused by Staphylococci and Streptococci species.
Skin and Soft tissue infections
Vancomycin is used to treat skin and soft tissue infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes.
Surgical prophylaxis
Vancomycin is used to treat infections during surgery caused by Staphylococci and Streptococci species.
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
Onset of action
The peak effect of this medicine can be observed immediately after intravenous infusion,Duration of effect
The effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 12 to 24 hours.Safe with alcohol?
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.Is it habit forming?
No habit forming tendency have been reported.Usage in pregnancy?
This medicine is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary. Consult your doctor about the potential benefits and risks before deciding to take this medicine.Usage while breast-feeding?
This medicine is not recommended for use during breastfeeding unless absolutely necessary. Consult your doctor about the potential benefits and risks before deciding to take this medicine.
Allergy
Not recommended in the patients allergic to Vancomycin.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary. Consult your doctor about the potential benefits and risks before deciding to take this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use during breastfeeding unless absolutely necessary. Consult your doctor about the potential benefits and risks before deciding to take this medicine.
General warnings
Hearing problem
Excessive intravenous doses of this medicine may alter the hearing ability. Any symptoms of the hearing problem should be reported to the doctor.
Impaired kidney function
This medicine may increase the risk of kidney injury, especially in the elderly population. The dose of this medicine should be adjusted based on the CrCl. Any signs and symptoms of kidney injury like fluid accumulation, weight gain should be reported to the doctor.
Drug-resistance
Usage of Vancomycin without sufficient proof or suspicion of a bacterial infection should be avoided. Irrational dosing might fail in providing the benefits and even cause toxicity. It may also increase the risk of development of bacteria that is drug resistant.
Missed Dose
The missed dose should be taken as soon possible. It is advisable to skip the missed dose if it's already time for your next scheduled dose.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Metformin
Ethinyl Estradiol
Cholera Vaccine
Ketorolac
Disease interactions
Disease
Information not available.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Vancomycin as instructed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts than advised. Drink adequate amount of water to prevent the irritation in the intestine. Do not stop taking this medicine without consulting the doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
It works by inhibiting the growth of the bacteria by interfering with the bacterial cell wall synthesis
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Glycopeptide antibiotics
Schedule
Schedule H
DailyMed - vancomycin hydrochloride injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 24 April 2017]. Available from:
Vancomycin: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 24 April 2017]. Available from:
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 24 April 2017]. Available from:
Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 24 April 2017]. Available from:
[Internet]. Toxnet.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 24 April 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 16 Nov 2017
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.