Pronunciation: VAN-koe-MYE-sin
Generic Name: Vancomycin
Brand Name: Vancocin
Vancomycin Capsules is used for:
Treating certain bacterial infections of the stomach or bowel.
Vancomycin Capsules is an antibiotic. It works by killing sensitive bacteria.
Do NOT use Vancomycin Capsules if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Vancomycin Capsules
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Vancomycin Capsules:
Some medical conditions may interact with Vancomycin Capsules. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have kidney problems, colitis or other inflammation of the bowel, or hearing problems
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Vancomycin Capsules. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Aminoglycosides (eg, tobramycin) because the risk of kidney problems or hearing problems may be increased
- Methotrexate because the risk of its side effects may be increased by Vancomycin Capsules
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Vancomycin Capsules may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Vancomycin Capsules:
Use Vancomycin Capsules as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Vancomycin Capsules by mouth with or without food.
- To clear up your infection completely, take Vancomycin Capsules for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days.
- Continue to use Vancomycin Capsules even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
- If you miss a dose of Vancomycin Capsules, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Vancomycin Capsules.
Important safety information:
- Vancomycin Capsules only works against bacteria; it does not treat viral infections (eg, the common cold).
- Long-term or repeated use of Vancomycin Capsules may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this.
- Be sure to use Vancomycin Capsules for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.
- Kidney problems, including reports of kidney failure, have occurred in patients taking Vancomycin Capsules. These kidney problems can occur either during treatment or after treatment is stopped, although they have typically occurred within 1 week after Vancomycin Capsules has been stopped. Contact your doctor right away if you experience decreased urination.
- Lab tests, including kidney function tests and hearing tests, may be performed while you use Vancomycin Capsules. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Use Vancomycin Capsules with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- Vancomycin Capsules should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: It is not known if Vancomycin Capsules can cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Vancomycin Capsules while you are pregnant. Vancomycin Capsules is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Vancomycin Capsules.
Possible side effects of Vancomycin Capsules:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Back pain; gas; headache; nausea; stomach pain; tiredness; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; decreased, difficult, or painful urination; fainting; fever, chills, or sore throat; flushing; red, swollen, or blistered skin; ringing in the ears, hearing loss, or other hearing changes; severe or persistent diarrhea; severe or persistent dizziness or light-headedness; shortness of breath; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; symptoms of low blood potassium levels (eg, irregular heartbeat; muscle pain, weakness, or cramping); unusual bruising or bleeding; wheezing.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Vancomycin side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.
Proper storage of Vancomycin Capsules:
Store Vancomycin Capsules at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Vancomycin Capsules out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Vancomycin Capsules, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Vancomycin Capsules is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Vancomycin Capsules. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Vancomycin resources
- Vancomycin Side Effects (in more detail)
- Vancomycin Dosage
- Vancomycin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Vancomycin Drug Interactions
- Vancomycin Support Group
- 13 Reviews for Vancomycin - Add your own review/rating
Compare Vancomycin with other medications
- Bacteremia
- Bacterial Endocarditis Prevention
- Bacterial Infection
- Bone infection
- Burns, External
- Clostridial Infection
- Endocarditis
- Enterocolitis
- Febrile Neutropenia
- Meningitis
- Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Infection
- Nosocomial Pneumonia
- Peritonitis
- Pneumonia
- Prevention of Perinatal Group B Streptococcal Disease
- Pseudomembranous Colitis
- Sepsis
- Shunt Infection
- Skin Infection
- Surgical Prophylaxis
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