vancomycin

	What is the most important information I should know about vancomycin?
	What is vancomycin?
	What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using vancomycin?
	How should I take vancomycin?
	What happens if I miss a dose?
	What happens if I overdose?
	What should I avoid while using vancomycin?
	What are the possible side effects of vancomycin?
	What other drugs will affect vancomycin?
	Where can I get more information?
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Before using vancomycin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have kidney disease, problems with your hearing, or an intestinal disorder such as inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis.

Vancomycin can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss. Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any hearing problems or ringing in your ears.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your hearing will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Vancomycin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Vancomycin is an antibiotic. It fights bacteria in the body.

Vancomycin is used to treat infections of the intestines that cause colitis (inflammation of the large intestine).

Vancomycin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to vancomycin.

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take vancomycin:

• kidney disease,
• hearing problems; or
• an intestinal disorder such as inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Vancomycin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not take this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Vancomycin can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss. To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your hearing will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Take the oral medicine with a full glass of water.

Vancomycin should be taken at evenly spaced intervals.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Vancomycin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Store vancomycin capsules at room temperature, away from heat and moisture.

Store vancomycin oral liquid in the refrigerator, but do not allow it to freeze.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of a vancomycin overdose are not known.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, stop using this medication and call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using vancomycin and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• hearing loss, ringing in your ears;
• urinating less than usual or not at all;
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
• feeling light-headed, fainting;
• skin rash, redness, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness; or
• severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody.

Less serious side effects may include:

• dizziness;
• nausea;
• back pain; or
• muscle pain or tightness.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before using vancomycin, tell your doctor if you are using any of these other antibiotics, especially:

• amikacin (Amikin);
• gentamicin (Garamycin);
• kanamycin (Kantrex);
• neomycin (Mycifradin, Neo-Fradin, Neo-Tab);
• streptomycin; or
• tobramycin (Nebcin, Tobi).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with vancomycin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Your pharmacist can provide more information about vancomycin.