Vancomycin is an antibiotic. It is used to treat certain bacterial infections of the lungs, skin, heart, and bones.
This medicine may also be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Vancomycin infusion is to be given intravenously (into the vein). It is delivered directly into the bloodstream via the blood vessel.
Your doctor or nurse will administer the infusion for you.
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.
You must complete the entire course of Vancomycin. If you don't, the infection will not be properly controlled.
Ensure that you keep all appointments with your doctor so that you do not miss any doses. Your doctor also needs to regularly monitor your response to Vancomycin.
If you miss an appointment or miss an injection, alert your doctor or nurse. A replacement appointment or injection should be given as soon as possible.
Do not use 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: nausea, muscle spasm, back pain, fever, chills, tiredness, noisy breathing, and injection site swelling.
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
- fever, watery diarrhoea, nausea, loss of appetite, stomach cramping and pain, dehydration, blood or pus in the stool
If the Vancomycin solution is too strong or if it is infused too quickly, it may cause a fall in blood pressure, difficulty breathing, flushed skin, rashes, and itchiness.
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 pills or medicines 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 or using any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription
Avoid alcohol.
Store intact vials in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Once opened, store in the refrigerator, between 2-8°C.
Do not freeze this medicine otherwise it will no longer be effective and should not be used.
If you notice that the injection has changed colour or has become cloudy, do not use it. Throw it away and use a new injection.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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