Vancomycin

Description

Vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic medication created by the soil bacterium Amycolatopsis orientalis. It is used to treat certain bacterial infections, including complicated skin or lower respiratory infections, bloodstream infections, endocarditis, bone and joint infections, and meningitis. It may be given by mouth but is poorly absorbed.

Indications

• infection by aerobic or anaerobic Gram-positive bacteria, particularly when unresponsive to other antibiotics
• treatment of infections in individuals with serious allergy to penicillins or beta-lactam antimicrobials
• antibacterial prophylaxis for endocarditis after certain procedures
• surgical prophylaxis for major procedures involving implantation of prostheses where the risk of infection is high
• last-resort treatment of sepsis.

Antibiogram

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Administration routes

• Oral
• Intravenous (IV)

Side effects

• tinnitus
• dizziness
• rash
• hypotension
• abnormalities in blood composition, including low platelets and low white blood cells
• bone marrow suppression

When given orally:

• gastrointestinal distress (abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea)
• distorted sense of taste

When given intravenously:

• pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site
• phlebitis

Rare but serious side effects include:

• anaphylaxis
• co-infection
• toxic epidermal necrolysis
• ototoxicity and hearing loss
• acute kidney injury

Most IV side effects can be avoided or reduced by slow infusion rather than bolus administration.

Dosage

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Available forms

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Pharmacokinetics

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Interactions

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