Vancomycin: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What drug is Vancomycin?

What is Vancomycin for?

Vancomycin is an antibiotic commonly used to treat serious bacterial infections. This drug works by stopping the growth of bacteria.

This drug is usually injected into a vein. However, this product is in the form of a vial which can be given orally to treat a severe intestinal condition called Clostridium difficile-related diarrhea. This condition rarely occurs after the use of antibiotics that make certain bacteria resistant in the intestines, causing severe diarrhea. When vancomycin is taken by mouth, this drug is not absorbed by the body but remains in the intestines, stopping the growth of bacteria. (See also Usage section.)

How to use Vancomycin?

This medication is usually injected into a vein, usually 2 or 2 times a day or as directed by your doctor. This drug must be injected slowly for 1-2 hours. The dosage of this drug will vary based on your health condition, weight, kidney function, and response to your therapy. (See also Side Effects.)

If you are using this medication yourself at home, learn all the rules for preparation and use from your healthcare provider. Before using, check the product for contamination or discoloration. If there is, do not use this drug. Read how to store and dispose of used packaging properly.

While taking this medication, mix each dose with at least 30 mL of water before swallowing it.

Antibiotics work best when the amount of medicine in your body remains at a constant level. So, use this drug at approximately the same intervals.

Continue to use this medication until the prescribed one is finished, even if symptoms disappear after a few days.

Stopping the drug too quickly can allow the bacteria to continue to grow, which can eventually become infected again.

Follow the rules given by your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How is Vancomycin stored?

This medication should be stored at or below -20 ° C. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Other brands of this drug can have different storage rules. Pay attention to the storage instructions on the packaging of your product, or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines out of reach of children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Vancomycin dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the Vancomycin dosage for adults?

Adult Dose for Bacterial Infections

15-20 mg / kg IV every 8-12 hours (2-3 g / day); loading doses of 25-30 mg / kg can be given for seriously ill patients

The manufacturer recommends 500 mg IV every 6 hours or 1 g IV every 12 hours.

Adult Dose for Bacteremia

15-20 mg / kg IV every 8-12 hours Duration: 2-6 weeks, depending on the condition and severity of infection

Adult Dose for Bacterial Endocarditis Prophylaxis

For patients allergic to penicillin: 1 g IV once; the infusion should be completed within 30 minutes of the start of the procedure

Gentamicin can be added for high risk patients.

Adult Dose for Endocarditis

Alternative drugs for patients who cannot tolerate penicillin or ceftriaxone, and for oxacillin-resistant staphylococcal strains: 15-20 mg / kg IV every 8-12 hours with or without other antibiotics depending on the course of infection

Duration:

Native valve: 6 weeks

Prosthetic valve: at least 6 weeks

Maximum dose: 2 g / day unless serum concentration is low (recommended: 15-20 mcg / mL)

Look for the most recent instructions for more detailed recommendations.

Adult Dose for Pseudomembranous Colitis

Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea: 125 mg orally 4 times daily for 10 days

Staphylococcal enterocolitis: 500-2000 mg / day given orally in 3 or 4 divided doses for 7-10 days

Adult Dose for Enterocolitis

Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea: 125 mg orally 4 times daily for 10 days

Staphylococcal enterocolitis: 500-2000 mg / day given orally in 3 or 4 divided doses for 7-10 days

Adult Dose for Meningitis

IV: 15-20 mg / kg IV every 8-12 hours

Duration: 10-14 days or at least 1 week after the patient has no fever and cerebrospinal fluid returns to normal

Intraventricular, intrathecal: 5-20 mg preservative-free formulation given up to every 24 hours

Adult Dose for Nosocomial Pneumonia

Hospital-acquired: 15-20 mg / kg IV every 8-12 hours

Recommended: 15-20 mcg / mL

Initial broad-spectrum empiric therapy based on hospital and / or ICU antibiograms is recommended if multidrug-resistant organisms are suspected.

Duration: the duration of therapy should be as short as possible (eg, 7 days) to reduce the risk of superinfection with resistant organisms.

Adult Dose for Pneumonia

Due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA): 15-20 mg / kg IV every 8-12 hours

Duration: 7-21 days, depending on the course and severity of infection.

Adult Dose for Osteomyelitis

15-20 mg / kg IV every 8-12 hours

Duration: 3-6 weeks or at least 8 weeks if due to MRSA; Oral antibiotics are required for chronic osteomyelitis for an additional 1-2 months.

Adult Dose for Febrile Neutropenia

15 mg / kg IV every 12 hours

Duration: when the patient is stable, has no fever for at least 24 hours, and an absolute neutrophil count greater than 500 / mm3, oral antibiotics can be changed if antibiotic therapy is continued.

What is the Vancomycin dosage for children?

Children's Dose for Bacterial Infections

Less than 7 days, less than 1200 g: 15 mg / kg IV every 24 hours

Less than 7 days, 1200-2000 g: 10-15 mg / kg IV every 12-18 hours

Less than 7 days, more than 2000 g: 10-15 mg / kg IV every 8-12 hours

7 days to 1 month, less than 1200 g: 15 mg / kg IV every 24 hours

7 days to 1 month, 1200-2000 g: 10-15 mg / kg IV every 8-12 hours

7 days to 1 month, more than 2000 g: 10-15 mg / kg IV every 6-8 hours

1 month to 18 years: 10-20 mg / kg IV every 6-8 hours (total 40-60 mg / kg / day)

The manufacturer recommends a starting dose of 15 mg / kg in newborns, followed by 10 mg / kg every 12 hours for babies in the first week of life and every 8 hours then until 1 month of age. The manufacturer recommends 10 mg / kg IV every 6 hours for pediatric patients.

Child Dose for Bacterial Endocarditis Prophylaxis

≥1 month:

For patients allergic to penicillin: 20 mg / kg IV (maximum 1 g) once; the infusion should be completed within 30 minutes of the start of the procedure

Gentamicin 1.5 mg / kg (maximum 120 mg) IV or IM may be added for high risk patients.

Children's Dose for Peritonitis

CAPD patients: 30 mg / kg intraperitoneally every 5-7 days or 30 mg / L

Child Dosi for Pseudomembranous Colitis

1-18 years: 40 mg / kg / day orally in 3 or 4 divided doses

Maximum dose: 2 g / day

Duration: 7-10 days

Children's Dose for Enterocolitis

1-18 years: 40 mg / kg / day orally in 3 or 4 divided doses

Maximum dose: 2 g / day

Duration: 7-10 days

Children's Dose for Surgical Prophylaxis

15 mg / kg IV once, with or without gentamicin; the infusion should be completed within 30 minutes of the start of the procedure

In what dosage is Vancomycin available?

Vancomycin is available in the following dosages.

Solution 500 mg / 100 mL; 750 mg / 150 mL; 1 g / 200 mL $

Vancomycin side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to Vancomycin?

If this drug is injected too quickly, the condition "red man syndrome" can occur. Tell your doctor right away if you experience symptoms such as upper body flushing, dizziness, low blood pressure, or chest and back pain / spasm.

Pain and redness at the injection site may occur. This effect can be reduced by slowly injecting the drug. If these effects persist or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist right away.

Remember that your doctor prescribes this drug because he judges the benefits to outweigh the risk of side effects. Many people use this drug and do not experience serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you experience any of the following serious side effects: ringing in the ears, hearing problems, change in the amount of urine, easy bleeding / bruising, fever, persistent sore throat, persistent diarrhea.

Using this medication long-term or repeatedly may lead to oral thrush or a new yeast infection. Call your doctor if you notice white spots in your mouth, changes in vaginal discharge, or other new symptoms.

Very serious allergic reactions are rare. Even so, seek medical help immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms: rash, itching / swelling (especially face / tongue / throat), severe dizziness, breathing problems.

rash, itching / swelling (especially of the face / tongue / throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Vancomycin Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using Vancomycin?

In using this drug, the risks of using the drug must be weighed against the benefits obtained. The decision is made by the doctor and you. For this drug, the following should be considered:

Allergy

Tell your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine. And also let me know if you have allergies to anything else, such as food, coloring, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the ingredients in the packaging carefully.

Children

Research has not shown a relationship between age and the effects of vancomycin in the pediatric population. Its safety and efficacy are unknown.

Elderly

Studies have not shown an association of age to the effects of vancomycin in the elderly population, no elderly problem has been recorded. Even so, the elderly are more prone to developing liver, kidney or heart problems due to age, which may require adjusting the dose in patients receiving vancomycin.

Is Vancomycin safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = No risk,
• B = not at risk in several studies,
• C = May be risky,
• D = There is positive evidence of risk,
• X = Contraindicated,
• N = Unknown

There is not yet sufficient information about the safety of using this medicine during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication.

Vancomycin Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with Vancomycin?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

Although certain drugs cannot be used together, in other cases 2 different drugs can be used simultaneously although drug interactions may occur. In this case, the doctor can change the dose, or other warnings may be needed. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription drugs.

Using this drug with other drugs is usually not recommended, but may be needed in some cases. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may have changed the dose or frequency of use of one or both drugs.

• Amikacin
• Gentamicin
• Tobramycin

Interactions with the drugs below can increase your risk of serious side effects, but using both drugs may be the best therapy for you. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may have changed the dose or frequency of use of one or both drugs.

• Succinylcholine
• Warfarin

Can food or alcohol interact with Vancomycin?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions may interact with Vancomycin?

The presence of other health problems in your body may affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems, in particular:

• Hearing loss - use with caution. May worsen the condition.
• Severe kidney disease, or
• Other gastrointestinal upset and inflammation — can increase the risk of more serious side effects.

Vancomycin overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.