Vancomycin

Drug Status in USA : Approved
Drug Status in Canada : Approved

pronunciation

pronounced as (van koe mye' sin)

Why is this medication prescribed?

Vancomycin is used to treat colitis (inflammation of the intestine caused by certain bacteria) that may occur after antibiotic treatment. Vancomycin is in a class of medications called glycopeptide antibiotics. It works by killling bacteria in the intestines. Vancomycin will not kill bacteria or treat infections in any other part of the body when taken by mouth. Antibiotics will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.


How should this medicine be used?

Vancomycin comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken 3-4 times a day for 7-10 days. To help you remember to take vancomycin, take it around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take vancomycin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Take vancomycin until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop taking vancomycin too soon or miss doses, your infection may not be completely cured and bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.


What are the precautions to be followed?

Before taking vancomycin,
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to vancomycin, or any other medications.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention amikacin (Amikin), amphotericin B (Fungizone), bacitracin, cisplatin (Platinol), colistin, gentamicin (Garamycin), kanamycin (Kantrex), polymyxin B, streptomycin, and tobramycin (Nebcin).
  • tell your doctor if you have or have ever had inflammatory bowel disease (swelling of the intestine that can cause painful cramps or diarrhea), including Crohn's disease (a condition in which the body attacks the lining of the digestive tract, causing pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and fever) and ulcerative colitis (a condition which causes swelling and sores in the lining of the colon
    • large intestine
    and rectum); hearing loss; or kidney disease.
  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking Vancomycin, call your doctor.

What are possible side effects of this medication ?

Vancomycin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if this symptom is severe or does not go away:
  • upset stomach
Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:
  • sore throat, fever, chills, and other signs of infection
  • hives
  • skin rash
  • itching
  • difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • redness of the skin above the waist
  • pain and muscle tightness of the chest and back
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • fainting
  • dizziness
  • blurred vision
  • ringing in the ears


How to store the medication and dispose it of after its use later?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program.


Drug Category/Class

  • Glycopeptide Antibacterials
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antibiotics
  • Alimentary Tract and Metabolism
  • Antibacterials for Systemic Use
  • Antiinfectives for Systemic Use
  • Antidiarrheals, Intestinal Anti-Inflammatory
  • antiinfective Agents
  • Intestinal Antiinfectives
  • Antibiotics
  • Glycopeptide antibacterials
Prescribed For the treatment of serious or severe infections caused by susceptible strains of methicillin-resistant (beta-lactam-resistant) staphylococci.
Weight :1449.254
Structure Vancomycin
Generic Drug Vancomycin prescribed For the treatment of serious or severe infections caused by susceptible strains of methicillin-resistant (beta-lactam-resistant) staphylococci.
Formula

C66H75Cl2N9O24

Vancomycin has 54 Brands listed


Celovan (1000 mg)Celovan (500 mg)
Covancin (1000 mg)Covancin (500 mg)
CP Van (1000 mg)CP Van (500 mg)
Cytovan (500 mg)Forstaf (500 mg)
Vanacin (1000 mg)Vanacin (500 mg)
Vanacin CP (1000 mg)Vanacin CP (500 mg)
Vancocare (1000 mg)Vancocare (500 mg)
Vancocin (125 mg)Vancocin CP (500 mg)
Vancocin CP (500 mg) (Eli Lilly)Vancocip (500 mg)
Vancogen (500 mg)Vancogram (500 mg)
Vancoled (1000 mg)Vancoled (500 mg)
Vancomate (500 mg)Vanconat (1000 mg)
Vanconat (500 mg)Vanconex CP (1000 mg)
Vanconex CP (500 mg)Vanconis (500 mg)
Vancopar (500 mg)Vancopure
Vancorid CP (500 mg)Vancorin (500 mg)
Vancoriv (500 mg)Vancosa (1000 mg)
Vancosa (500 mg)Vancotech CP (500 mg)
Vancowar CP (500 mg)Vanking (1000 mg)
Vanking (500 mg)Vanlee (500 mg)
Vanlid (500 mg)Vanmax (500 mg)
Vansafe (1000 mg)Vansafe (500 mg)
Vantox CP (1000 mg)Vantox CP (500 mg)
VanzyVanzy
Viovan (1000 mg)Viovan (500 mg)
Vistovanc (1000 mg)Vistovanc (500 mg)
Vlorag (500 mg)Vontox CP (500 mg)

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