Vancocin (Vancomycin Hydrochloride)

Vancomycin Injection (van" koe mye' sin)

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.

Vancomycin injection comes as a powder to be added to fluid and injected intravenously (into a vein). It is usually infused (injected slowly) over a period of at least 60 minutes once every 6 or 12 hours, but may be given every 8 hours in newborn babies. The length of your treatment depends on the type of infection you have. You may experience a reaction while you receive a dose of vancomycin injection, usually during your infusion or soon after your infusion has completed. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms while you receive vancomycin injection: dizziness, wheezing, shortness of breath, itching, hives, flushing of the upper body, or muscle pain or spasm of the chest and back. You may receive vancomycin injection in a hospital or you may use the medication at home. If you are using vancomycin injection at home, use it at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or other healthcare provider to explain any part you do not understand. Use vancomycin injection exactly as directed. Do not infuse it more quickly than directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor. If you will be using vancomycin injection at home, your healthcare provider will show you how to infuse the medication. Be sure that you understand these directions, and ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions. Ask your healthcare provider what to do if you have any problems infusing vancomycin injection. You should begin feeling better during the first few days of your treatment with vancomycin injection. If your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse, call your doctor. Use vancomycin injection until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop using vancomycin injection too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.

Before using vancomycin injection, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to vancomycin, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in vancomycin injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients. tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: amikacin, amphotericin (Abelcet, Ambisome, Amphotec), bacitracin (Baciim); cisplatin, colistin, kanamycin, neomycin (Neo-Fradin), paromomycin, polymyxin B, streptomycin, and tobramycin. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had hearing problems or kidney disease. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using vancomycin injection, call your doctor. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are receiving vancomycin injection.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Vancomycin injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site fever nausea chills Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the HOW section, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment: severe diarrhea with watery or bloody stools (up to 2 months after your treatment) stomach pain or cramps rash peeling or blistering of the skin swelling of the eyes, face, throat, tongue, or lips difficulty breathing or swallowing hoarseness hearing loss, roaring or ringing in the ears, or dizziness Vancomycin injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medication. If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

Keep all appointments with your doctor. Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish the vancomycin, call your doctor. It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.