Vancoled (Intravenous)

Vancomycin injection is used to treat infections in various parts of the body. It is also used for patients with heart valve disease (like rheumatic fever) or artificial heart valves who are allergic to penicillin. In some cases, vancomycin is given with other medicines to prevent endocarditis (inflammation of the heart lining) in patients undergoing dental work or surgery on the upper respiratory tract (such as the nose or throat).

Vancomycin is used to treat infections caused by bacteria. It kills bacteria or stops them from growing. Vancomycin will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.

Vancomycin injection is also used to treat serious infections that may not respond to other medicines. However, this medicine may cause some serious side effects, including damage to your hearing and kidneys. These side effects may be more likely to occur in elderly patients. You and your doctor should discuss the benefits of this medicine as well as the risks involved in taking it.

Vancomycin is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.

Your doctor will closely monitor you or your child's progress while receiving this medicine. This helps your doctor see if the medicine is working correctly and decide if you should keep taking it. Blood tests may be needed to check for side effects.

This medicine may cause a rare but serious allergic reaction called an infusion reaction. This can be life-threatening and needs immediate medical help. Tell your doctor right away if you or your child start to have a cough, trouble swallowing, dizziness, a fast heartbeat, trouble breathing, chest tightness, swelling in your face or hands, fever, chills, itching or hives, or feel lightheaded or faint while receiving this medicine.

Tell your doctor right away if you or your child experience confusion, dizziness, headache, a decrease in how much or how often you urinate, rapid weight gain, or swelling of your hands, ankles, or feet after receiving this medicine. These may be signs of a serious kidney issue.

Hearing loss may happen while you are getting this medicine. Tell your doctor if you or your child have ringing or buzzing in the ears, dizziness, a feeling of fullness in the ears, or loss of balance after receiving this medicine.

This medicine may cause diarrhea, which can be severe in some cases. It may happen 2 months or more after you stop using this medicine. Do not take any medicine for diarrhea without first checking with your doctor. If you have questions or if mild diarrhea continues or worsens, consult your doctor.

This medicine can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, raising the risk of infections. If possible, avoid contact with people who are sick. Check with your doctor right away if you think you might have an infection or if you develop a fever or chills, cough or hoarseness, pain in your lower back or side, or painful or difficult urination.

This medicine may cause severe tenderness and pain at the injection site. Contact your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects at the injection site: bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, skin discoloration, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth.

Do not take other medicines unless your doctor has discussed them with you. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking it must be weighed against the benefits. This is a choice you and your doctor will make together. For this medicine, consider the following:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also inform your healthcare professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Studies done so far have not shown any specific problems in children that would limit the usefulness of vancomycin injection.

Geriatric

Studies done so far have not shown any specific problems in older adults that would limit the usefulness of vancomycin injection. However, older patients are more likely to have hearing, kidney, or heart issues, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for those receiving this medicine.

Breast Feeding

There are no sufficient studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medicine while breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medicine while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all, while in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might happen. In these situations, your doctor may want to adjust the dose or take other precautions. When you are receiving this medicine, it is very important that your healthcare professional knows if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions are based on their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be necessary in some situations. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you take one or both medicines.

• Amikacin
• Aspirin
• Cholera Vaccine, Live
• Gentamicin
• Piperacillin
• Tobramycin

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may increase the risk of certain side effects, but using both may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you take one or both medicines.

• Succinylcholine
• Warfarin

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used during or around meal times, as interactions may happen. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical issues may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure to inform your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Allergy to corn or corn products—Should not be used in patients with this condition.

• Congestive heart failure or
• Hearing loss or
• Kidney disease—Use with caution. May worsen side effects.

Along with its necessary effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects will occur, but if they do, you may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse right away if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

• Black, tarry stools
• Bleeding gums
• Blood in the urine or stools
• Continuing ringing, buzzing, or other unexplained noise in the ears
• Cough or hoarseness
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• Feeling of fullness in the ears
• Fever with or without chills
• General feeling of tiredness or weakness
• Hearing loss
• Loss of balance
• Lower back or side pain
• Painful or difficult urination
• Pale skin
• Pinpoint red spots on the skin
• Ringing or buzzing in the ears
• Sensation of spinning
• Sore throat
• Sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• Trouble hearing
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Unusual tiredness or weakness

Incidence not known

• Abdominal or stomach cramps or tenderness
• Back pain
• Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• Bloating
• Bluish color
• Blurred vision
• Change in frequency of urination or amount of urine
• Changes in skin color
• Chest pain
• Chest tightness
• Confusion
• Cracks in the skin
• Diarrhea, watery and severe, which may also be bloody
• Difficulty swallowing
• Dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• Drowsiness
• Fast heartbeat
• Flushing
• Headache
• Hives, itching, or skin rash
• Increased thirst
• Joint or muscle pain
• Loss of appetite
• Loss of heat from the body
• Nausea or vomiting
• Pain, tenderness, or swelling of the foot or leg
• Puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• Red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• Red, irritated eyes
• Red, swollen skin
• Redness, soreness, or itching of the skin
• Scaly skin
• Sores, welting, or blisters
• Sweating
• Swelling of the feet or lower legs
• Swollen glands
• Unusual weight loss

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Vancocin HCl
• Vancoled

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution
• Powder for Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antibiotic

Chemical Class: Glycopeptide

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a hospital. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins.

• What are the strongest antibiotics available?
• Can you drink alcohol while taking vancomycin?
• What is the difference between Firvanq and the CutisPharma FIRST-Vancomycin Compounding Kit?