vancomycin (oral)

What is the most important information I should know about vancomycin?

Oral vancomycin works only in the intestines and will not treat infections in other parts of the body. Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

What is vancomycin?

Vancomycin is an antibiotic. Oral (taken by mouth) vancomycin fights bacteria in the intestines.

Vancomycin is used to treat an infection of the intestines caused by Clostridium difficile, which can cause watery or bloody diarrhea. Vancomycin is also used to treat staph infections that can cause inflammation of the colon and small intestines.

Oral vancomycin works only in the intestines and is not normally absorbed into the body. This medicine will not treat other types of infection. An injection form of vancomycin is available to treat serious infections in other parts of the body.

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

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking vancomycin?

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• an intestinal disorder such as inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis;
• kidney disease;
• hearing problems; or
• if you are receiving any intravenous (IV) antibiotics.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

How should I take vancomycin?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Taking more of this medicine will not make it more effective, and may cause serious or life-threatening side effects.

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection that is resistant to medication. Vancomycin will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

If you use this medicine long-term, you may need frequent medical tests.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while using vancomycin?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

What are the possible side effects of vancomycin?

• increased diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
• hearing loss, ringing in your ears;
• kidney problems --swelling, rapid weight gain, pain in your side or lower back, little or no urination; or
• low potassium level --leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp feeling.

Side effects on the kidneys may be more likely in older adults taking this medicine.

Common side effects may include:

• low potassium;
• nausea; or
• stomach pain.

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.

What other drugs will affect vancomycin?

Other drugs may affect vancomycin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about vancomycin.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 11.01. Revision date: 9/24/2020.