Vancomycin is an antibiotic. It is used to treat diarrhoea and colitis (inflammation of the lining of the colon [large intestine]) that is associated with Clostridioides difficile infection.
This medicine may also be used to treat enterocolitis (inflammation of the digestive tract) caused by Staphylococci bacteria.
Take Vancomycin exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day.
This medicine is available as a capsule, commercially prepared oral solution, or powder for injection which can be used orally.
If you are taking the commercially prepared oral solution, shake the bottle well before you take it to ensure that the liquid is evenly mixed. Use the measuring spoon or cup provided to measure your dose.
If you have been given the powder for injection, ask your doctor or pharmacist how to reconstitute the powder.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the type and severity of your infection.
Take Vancomycin at regular intervals. Do not skip any doses. You must complete the entire course of this medicine. If you don't, the infection will not be properly controlled.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Do not take Vancomycin if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to this medicine or any of its ingredients.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- inflammatory bowel disease (group of diseases that cause long-term inflammation of the digestive tract)
- previous deafness
- anuria (unable to pass urine)
- allergy to similar antibiotics (e.g. teicoplanin)
- kidney disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving this medicine to a child or the elderly. Children or elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Routine tests (e.g. blood count, liver/kidney function, vancomycin blood level) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Regular monitoring of ear function and skin reactions may also be needed.
Vancomycin may cause any of the following side effects: headache, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhoea, stomach wind, muscle spasm, back pain, fever, chills, tiredness, noisy breathing, and fall in blood pressure.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes or mouth
- rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth or eyes accompanied by fever
- red, scaly widespread rash with bumps under the skin and blisters
- temporary or permanent loss of hearing
- unable to pass urine or change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking or using any of these medicines:
- medicines to block pain and sensation
- birth control pills
- other antibiotics e.g. gentamicin, polymyxin B, bacitracin, colistin, piperacillin/tazobactam
- amphotericin B (medicine to treat fungal infection)
- cisplatin (medicine for cancer)
- NSAIDs (medicine for pain and inflammation)
- muscle relaxants used during surgery e.g. suxamethonium, vecuronium
- water pill or medicine for water retention e.g. furosemide, ethacrynic acid
- colestyramine (a cholesterol-lowering medicine)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Vancomycin.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription
Avoid alcohol.
Available products of Vancomycin may vary with its storage requirements. Ask your doctor or pharmacist on how to properly store this medicine.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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