Vancomycin : Before Using

Vancomycin - Systemic

Brand Names

Vancocin Vancomycin *** Before Using *** How to Use *** Side Effects

Before Using This Medication

In deciding to using a medication, the chance of taking the drug must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you will make. For vancomycin, the following must be considered

Allergic reaction

Tell your family doctor if you have any unusual or allergic reaction to vancomycin. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy care

Vancomycin has not been reported to cause hearing loss or kidney damage in the infants of women given vancomycin during their second or third trimester of pregnancy.

Breast-feeding problem

Vancomycin passes into breast milk. However, this drug has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Use for Children

Vancomycin can cause serious side effects in any patient. Therefore, it is especially important that you discuss with the child's family doctor the good that this drug will do as well as the chance of using it.

Elderly care

Elderly people may be especially sensitive to the effects of vancomycin. This may increase the risk of hearing loss or kidney damage.

Drug interactions

Although certain medication must not be using together at all, in other cases two various medication may be using together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your family doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving vancomycin, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

Aminoglycosides by injection - amikacin " Amikin ", gentamicin " Garamycin ", kanamycin " Kantrex ", netilmicin " Netromycin ", streptomycin, tobramycin " Nebcin "
Amphotericin B by injection - Fungizone
Bacitracin by injection
Bumetanide by injection - Bumex
Capreomycin - Capastat
Cisplatin - Platinol
Cyclosporine - Sandimmune
Ethacrynic acid by injection - Edecrin
Furosemide by injection - Lasix
Paromomycin - Humatin
Polymyxins, especially colistimethate - Coly-Mycin M and polymyxin B - Aerosporin
Streptozocin - Zanosar
Vecuronium - Norcuron Use of these medication with vancomycin may increase the risk of side effects

Dexamethasone - Dalalone L.A., Decadrol, Decadron Use of dexamethasone with vancomycin may keep vancomycin from help you

Other Information for using

The presence of other medical problems may effect the use of vancomycin. Make sure you tell your family doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Kidney disease
Loss of hearing, or deafness, history of Patients with kidney disease or a history of hearing loss or deafness may have an increased risk of side effects