What is Vancomycin?
Vancomycin is a type of antibiotic. Orally (taken through the mouth), vancomycin is a bactericide that fights bacteria within the intestinal tract.Vancomycin helps treat an intestinal infection caused by Clostridium diffusus, which can lead to bloody or watery diarrhea. The medicine can also be utilized to combat staph infection, which can lead to inflammation of the small intestine and colon.
Oral vancomycin only works within the intestines and is not normally absorbed into your body. Vancomycin cannot treat other forms of infection. A form that can be injected with this medication is offered to treat serious infections in different organs.
Warnings
Vancomycin oral works only within the intestines. It does not treat other areas of the body. Follow the directions on the label of your medication and the package. Be sure to inform your healthcare professionals about your medical issues, allergies, and any medications you take.
Before you take this drug
Vancomycin is not recommended if you have an allergy to it.
To ensure that vancomycin is suitable for you, ask your doctor if you previously had:
- An intestinal disorder like an inflammatory bowel disorder, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis;
- Kidney disease;
- Hearing issues hearing problems
- If you're taking some IV antibiotics,
Inform your doctor if you are nursing or pregnant.
How to take Vancomycin?
Use vancomycin as directed by your physician. Follow the instructions on the label of your prescription and study all medication guides or instructions sheets.The addition of more vancomycin to the regimen does not improve its effectiveness and could cause severe or life-threatening adverse effects.
Shake it up with the oral solution (liquid) prior to you begin to measure the dosage. Utilize the dosing syringe that comes with a dosage measuring device (not an ordinary spoon).Take this medication for the entire prescribed amount of time, even if symptoms do not improve immediately. Inadequate doses could increase your chance of developing an infection unresponsive to treatment. Vancomycin cannot help treat the symptoms of a viral illness like the flu or a commonly occurring cold.
If you are taking this medication for a long period of time, you could require regular medical examinations.Keep the capsules at ambient temperature, away from humidity and heat.The fluid medicines are in the fridge, but do not put them in a freezer. Discard any liquid that is not used in 14 days.
Details on dosage
Usual Adult Dose for Pseudomembranous Colitis:
Clostridium difficile-related diarrhea: 125 mg taken orally 4 times per day
Duration of therapy Duration of therapy: 10 days
Inflammatory bowel disease: up to 2 g taken orally every day in divided doses, 3 to 4 times daily.
Maximum dose: 2 g/day
The duration of treatment is between 7 and 10 days.
Comment: Formulations that are administered via injections will not treat colitis.
Uses:
Treatment for C. Difficile-associated diarrhea
Treatment of enterocolitis caused by S. Aureus (including MRSA)
Society of Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) and IDSA Recommendations:
The first treatment for a serious C. Candida infection (CDI) Treatment: oral 125 mg, 4 times daily
Treatment typically lasts 10-14 days.
Complex, severe CDI: 500 mg taken orally every day four times and 500 mg (in 100 milliliters of normal saline) rectally every six hours with or without metronidazole IV
Comments:
The formulations for rectal should be taken as an enema for retention.
The first recurrence of CDI could be treated with the initial treatment regimen. The second recurrence of CDI could be treated using a tapered or pulsed regimen of this drug.
Uses:
Initial treatment for patients with severe CDI
Initial treatment for patients with difficult or severe CDI
Usual Adult Dose for Enterocolitis:
Clostridium difficile-related diarrhea, 125 mg, taken orally four times per day
The duration of treatment 10-day duration of therapy
Inflammatory bowel disease: up to 2 g taken orally every day in doses that are divided three to four times per day.
Maximum dose: 2 g/day
Therapy duration is between 7 and 10 days.
Comment: Formulations that are administered via injections 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 for a serious C. Candida infection (CDI) Treatment: 250 mg orally four times per day.
Duration of treatment ranges between ten and fourteen days.
Complex, severe CDI: 500 mg oral every day four times and 500 mg (in 100 milliliters of normal saline) rectally every six hours with or without IV metronidazole
Comments:
Rectal formulations are best used as an enema for retention.
A first recurrence of CDI could be treated using the treatment regimen that was initially prescribed; the second recurrence of CDI could be treated using a tapered or pulsed regimen of this drug.
Uses:
Initial treatment for patients suffering from severe CDI
Initial treatment for patients suffering from complex, severe CDI
What happens if I miss a dose?
Do not take the medicine for as long as you can. However, do not take any missed doses if you are close to the time of the next dose. Don't take two doses at a time.
What happens if I overdose?
For medical emergencies, seek emergency care immediately or reach out for support through the Poison Help Line by dialing 1-800-222-1222.
What should be avoided?
Follow the instructions of your physician regarding any restrictions on your food, drink, or any activity.
Side effects of Vancomycin
Seek medical attention immediately. If you are experiencing symptoms that you are experiencing an allergic reaction due to vancomycin, such as hives, breathing difficulties, and swelling of your lips, face, and throat,
Certain adverse reactions can occur in the event that the body absorbs vancomycin via the intestinal wall. Contact your doctor immediately in the event of:
- An increase in diarrhea that is swollen or bloody
- Hearing impairment Ringing in your ears
- Kidney issues: swelling or weight gain that is rapid or pain in your back or lower back; very little or no urination.
- Low potassium levels Leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering of your chest, an increase in thirst or urination, numbness, the sensation of tingling, muscle weakness, or a sluggish feeling
Kidney problems are more likely to occur for older people who take this medication.
Common side effects of vancomycin include:
- Low potassium
- Nausea;
- Stomach pain.
This isn't a complete list of possible side effects, and others could happen. Contact your physician to seek medical advice on the effects. You can report any side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interaction with other drug
Other drugs can interfere with vancomycin, which includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Inform your doctor about all your medications currently in use and any medication you begin or stop taking.
