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Vancomycin is an antibiotic. When taken by mouth it 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. It is also used to treat staph infections that can cause inflammation of the colon and small intestines.
Oral vancomycin works only in the intestines. This medicine is not normally absorbed into the body and will not treat other types of infection. An injection form of this medication is available to treat serious infections in other parts of the body.
Vancomycin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
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.
Vancomycin can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss. Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any hearing problems or ringing in your ears.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your hearing will need to be tested on a regular basis. Visit your doctor regularly.
Take vancomycin for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. This medicine will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to vancomycin.
To make sure vancomycin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
an intestinal disorder such as inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis;
kidney disease;
hearing problems; or
if you are receiving any IV antibiotics.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether vancomycin will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
Vancomycin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
Side effects on the kidneys may be more likely in older adults taking this medicine.
Take vancomycin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Taking more of this medicine will not make it more effective, and may cause serious or life-threatening side effects.
Use this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Vancomycin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
If you use this medication long-term, you may need frequent medical tests at your doctor's office.
Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose.
Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Store vancomycin capsules at room temperature, away from heat and moisture.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these 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 urinating; or
low potassium--confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling.
Common vancomycin side effects may include:
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.
Other drugs may interact with vancomycin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the indication prescribed.
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Medically reviewed by USARx EDITORIAL TEAM Last updated on 1/1/2020.
Source: Drugs.com Vancomycin Hydrochloride (www.drugs.com/vancomycin.html).
Applies to vancomycin: oral capsule, oral powder for solution
Other dosage forms:
Along with its needed effects, vancomycin may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking vancomycin:
More common
Less common
Rare
Incidence not known
Some side effects of vancomycin may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Incidence not known
Applies to vancomycin: compounding powder, intravenous powder for injection, intravenous solution, oral capsule, oral powder for reconstitution, oral solution
The most commonly reported side effects include nausea, abdominal pain, and hypokalemia.
Chemical peritonitis occurred with intraperitoneal administration.
Mild gastrointestinal tract disturbances occurred with oral administration.
Very common (10% or more): Nausea (up to 17%), abdominal pain (up to 15%)
Common (1% to 10%): Vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Mild gastrointestinal tract disturbances
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Pseudomembranous enterocolitis/colitis
Frequency not reported: Chemical peritonitis, constipation, indigestion, stomachache
Very common (10% or more): Hypokalemia (up to 13%)
Common (1% to 10%): Exanthema, pruritus, red man syndrome, redness of the face/upper arms, urticaria
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Erythema, itch
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Toxic epidermal necrolysis
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Exfoliative dermatitis, linear IgA bullous dermatosis, Lyell's syndrome, Stevens-Johnson syndrome
Frequency not reported: Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), erythematous macular rash with intense pruritus over face/neck/upper body, rash, red neck
Common (1% to 10%): Decrease in blood pressure, flushing of the upper body, peripheral edema, phlebitis
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Thrombophlebitis
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Vasculitis
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Cardiac arrest
Frequency not reported: Bradycardia, cardiogenic shock, generalized flushing, hypotension, palpitations, substernal pressure, tachycardia
Postmarketing reports: Chest pain
Hypotension, bradycardia, cardiogenic shock, and cardiac arrest have occurred with rapid bolus administration.
Renal failure was most commonly characterized by increased serum creatinine levels or BUN concentrations.
Azotemia usually resolved upon discontinuation of treatment.
Common (1% to 10%): Increased serum creatinine, increased serum urea, nephrotoxicity, renal insufficiency
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Acute renal failure, interstitial nephritis
Frequency not reported: Acute kidney injury, Acute tubular necrosis, azotemia, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations increased, uremia, transient increased urea
Common (1% to 10%): Fatigue, mucosal inflammation, pyrexia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Chills, fever, pain, permanent hearing loss, transient hearing loss
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Drug fever, ototoxicity, rigors, shivering, tinnitus
Common (1% to 10%): Dyspnea, stridor
Frequency not reported: Wheezing
Common (1% to 10%): Back pain
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Back and chest muscle pain and spasm
Common (1% to 10%): Headache
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Dizziness, vertigo
Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection
Frequency not reported: Granular urinary casts
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Eosinophilia,
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Agranulocytosis, leukopenia, pancytopenia, reversible agranulocytosis, reversible neutropenia, thrombocytopenia
Frequency not reported: Anemia
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Anaphylactic reactions, anaphylaxis, hypersensitivity reactions
Frequency not reported: Anaphylactoid reaction
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Superinfection
Frequency not reported: Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), non-susceptible organism overgrowth
Frequency not reported: Injection site inflammation, injection site pruritus, necrosis, tissue irritation
HORV occurred in patients given this drug via intracameral or intravitreal route during/after cataract surgery.
Frequency not reported: Hemorrhagic occlusive retinal vasculitis (HORV), permanent vision loss
Frequency not reported: Depression, insomnia
Frequency not reported: Transaminase elevations
Medically reviewed by USARx EDITORIAL TEAM Last updated on 1/1/2020.
Source: Drugs.com Vancomycin Hydrochloride (www.drugs.com/vancomycin.html).
March 28, 2020
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