Vancomycin is used in the treatment of serious bacterial infections.

Vancomycin is an antibiotic. It kills the bacteria by attacking their cell wall. Specifically, it prevents the synthesis of a substance in the cell wall called peptidoglycan, which provides the cell wall with the strength required for survival of bacteria in human body.

Nausea, Abdominal pain, Decreased potassium level in blood

• It is given as an oral form or as a drip (intravenous infusion) into a vein or into a muscle.
• Do not drive because you may feel sleepy or dizzy while being treated with vancomycin.
• During treatment patient may undergo blood, urine, or hearing tests to look for signs of side effects.
• Do not start or continue the vancomycin if you have a kidney problem or hearing difficulties.
• Avoid using vancomycin if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Ques. Q. Is vancomycin a form of beta lactam, penicillin, cephalosporin, macrolide, or sulfa drug?
Vancomycin does not contain sulfa and is not a beta lactam, penicillin, cephalosporin, or macrolide drug

Ques. Q. Does Vancomycin come in pill form?
Yes, Vancomycin comes in pill form and used for the treatment of inflammation of the digestive tract (enterocolitis) caused by staphylococci and severe diarrhea (pseudomembranous colitis)

Ques. Q. Does Vancomycin cause diarrhea?
No, Vancomycin is not known to cause diarrhea. Please consult your doctor before taking the drug

Ques. Q. Can I take vancomycin with probiotics, ibuprofen, heparin, Zosyn, Tylenol, Tums, or Aleve?
Vancomycin is not reported to interact with ibuprofen, heparin, Zosyn (piperacillin and tazobactam), Tylenol (acetaminophen), Tums (sucrose and calcium carbonate), or Aleve (naproxen). It may reduce efficacy of probiotics. Please follow the advice of the doctor regarding their simultaneous use

Ques. Q. Can I take vancomycin with penicillin allergy?
Yes, vancomycin may be given to the patients who are allergic to penicillin

Ques. Q. What organisms does Vancomycin cover?
Vancomycin is mainly effective against gram-negative bacteria such as pseudomonas as well as some gram-positive bacteria such as streptococcus. It is a drug of choice for infections due to Clostridium difficile and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (mrsa).