Vancomycin Injection

Vancomycin injection is used to treat certain serious infections caused by bacteria. Vancomycin injection is in a class of medications called glycopeptide antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria that cause infections.

Antibiotics such as vancomycin injection will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Taking or using antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.

Vancomycin injection comes as a powder to be added to fluid and injected intravenously (into a vein) and as a premixed product. It is infused (injected slowly) over a period of at least 60 minutes once every 6 to 24 hours. The length of your treatment depends on the type of infection you have.

You may receive vancomycin injection in a hospital or you may use the medication at home. If you will be using vancomycin injection at home, your healthcare provider will show you how to infuse the medication. Be sure that you understand these directions, and ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions. Ask your healthcare provider what to do if you have any problems infusing vancomycin injection.

You may experience a reaction while you receive a dose of vancomycin injection or soon after your infusion has completed. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms while you receive vancomycin injection: dizziness, wheezing, shortness of breath, itching, hives, flushing of the upper body, or muscle pain or spasm of the chest and back.

You should begin feeling better during the first few days of your treatment with vancomycin injection. If your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse, call your doctor.

Use vancomycin injection until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop using vancomycin injection too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Before using vancomycin injection,

• tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to this medication, any part of this medication, or any other medications, foods or substances. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and what symptoms you had.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take while receiving vancomycin injection. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had hearing problems or kidney disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using vancomycin injection, call your doctor.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are receiving vancomycin injection.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Infuse the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not infuse a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Vancomycin injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site
• fever; chills
• nausea

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the HOW section, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

• severe diarrhea with watery or bloody stools (up to 2 months after your treatment); stomach pain or cramps
• rash; difficulty breathing or swallowing; swelling of the eyes, face, throat, tongue, or lips; hoarseness
• redness of the skin above the waist; pain and muscle tightness of the chest and back
• peeling or blistering of the skin
• hearing loss, roaring or ringing in the ears, or dizziness
• urinating less often than usual

Vancomycin injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

Your healthcare provider will tell you how to store your medication. Store your medication only as directed. Make sure you understand how to store your medication properly.

Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Use a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community. Visit the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for more information.

Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant. Always lock safety caps. Place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body's response to vancomycin injection.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish the vancomycin injection, call your doctor.

Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.