Details

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 diarrhoea. 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. 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.

Typical Uses

Vancomycin is an antibiotic used to treat a severe intestinal condition known as Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea. This condition usually occurs after the use of another antibiotic, which allows the growth of resistant bacteria in the intestines, leading to severe diarrhoea. When vancomycin is given by mouth, it is not absorbed by the body but remains in the intestines, allowing it to stop the growth of the bacteria responsible for this form of colitis. This antibiotic treats only bacterial infections of the intestines. It will not work for other bacterial infections or viral infections (e.g., common cold, flu).

Side Effects

Common vancomycin side effects may include increased diarrhoea 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. Certain side effects may occur if your body absorbs vancomycin through the intestinal walls.

Drug Interactions

• Vancomycin+adefovir- Talk to your doctor before using adefovir together with vancomycin. Adefovir may cause kidney problems, and combining it with other medications that can also affect the kidney such as vancomycin may increase that risk. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications.
• Vancomycin+cidofovir- Using cidofovir together with vancomycin is not recommended. Cidofovir may cause kidney damage, and combining it with other medications that can also affect the kidney such as vancomycin may increase that risk. If you have been receiving vancomycin, you may need to wait at least seven days after your last dose before you can start treatment with cidofovir.
• Vancomycin+sirolimus- Vancomycin may cause kidney problems, and combining it with other medications that can also affect the kidney such as sirolimus may increase that risk. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications.
• Vancomycin+tacrolimus- Vancomycin may cause kidney problems, and combining it with other medications that can also affect the kidney such as tacrolimus may increase that risk. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications.

Mechanism of action

Vancomycin belongs to group of medicines called glycopeptide antibiotics. It works by interrupting the bacterial cell wall (outer coating of bacteria) formation. As a result, the bacterial cell wall is weakened and ruptured, thereby killing the bacteria.

Pregnancy Category : C