Vancomycin, Injection

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KEY POINTS

• This medicine is given by IV to treat serious bacterial infections. Use it exactly as directed.
• If you develop severe diarrhea or diarrhea that lasts more than 2 or 3 days while taking this medicine, or for several weeks after you stop taking this medicine, contact your healthcare provider right away.
• Keep all appointments for tests to see how this medicine affects you.
• This medicine may cause unwanted side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that are serious, continue, or get worse.
• Tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take.

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What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antibiotic

Generic and brand names: vancomycin, injection; Vancocin Intravenous

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is an antibiotic that is given by IV infusion (slow drip through a needle into a large vein) to treat serious bacterial infections. This medicine will not cure viral infections such as colds and the flu.

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• An allergic reaction to any medicine
• Hearing problems
• Kidney disease

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

This medicine may be given by a healthcare provider in a hospital or can also be given at home. When using this medicine at home, be sure you know exactly how and when to take it. Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. If you have any questions, ask your healthcare provider.

Check with your healthcare provider before using this medicine in children.

Use this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not use more or less or use it longer than prescribed. Do not stop using this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval even if you feel better.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and use the next one as directed. Do not use double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine may cause or worsen diarrhea. If you develop severe diarrhea or diarrhea that lasts more than 2 or 3 days while taking this medicine, or for several weeks after you stop taking this medicine, contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not take medicine to treat diarrhea without your provider's approval.

This medicine may affect your hearing and balance. If you notice any hearing loss, ringing or roaring in your ears, severe dizziness or trouble keeping your balance, contact your healthcare provider right away.

If this medicine is given too fast by infusion, it may cause lightheadedness, flushing, or a rash on your face, neck, and upper body. These symptoms are temporary, but you should alert your healthcare provider if they happen.

You may feel pain or burning at the site of injection. Contact your healthcare provider if it becomes severe.

This medicine may make you dizzy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

Adults over the age of 65 may be at greater risk for side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

You need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments.

If your condition does not improve in a few days or if it gets worse, contact your healthcare provider.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (Report these to your healthcare provider right away.): Hearing loss; ringing in your ears; severe diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting; unusual tiredness or weakness; dizziness or trouble keeping your balance; redness of the face, neck, or upper body; blood in urine; trouble urinating or decreased urination; unexplained swelling; unexplained muscle pain; fever; unexplained sore throat or cough; severe skin redness, peeling, or blistering.

Other: Mild diarrhea; swelling, pain, or redness at the injection site.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• Amphotericin b (Abelcet, AmBisome, Amphotec)
• Antibiotics such as amikacin, bacitracin, capreomycin (Capastat), colistimethate (Coly-Mycin), gentamicin, kanamycin, neomycin (Neo-Fradin), paromomycin, polymyxin B, and tobramycin
• Cisplatin
• Diuretics (water pills) such as amiloride, bumetanide, chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone, eplerenone (Inspra), ethacrynic acid (Edecrin), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide), spironolactone (Aldactone), torsemide (Demadex), and triamterene (Dyrenium)
• Metformin (Fortamet, Glucophage, Riomet)

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store the IV solutions in the refrigerator. Do not let it freeze. Use the medicine before the expiration date on the label. If you see particles in the solution, do not use it. If you have any questions about this, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.