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. This medicine 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. vancomycin will not treat other types of infection. An injectable form of this medicine is available to treat serious infections in other parts of the body.

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.

Take vancomycin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.

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

Shake the oral solution (liquid) before you measure a dose. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

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.

Store the capsules at room temperature, away from heat and moisture.

Store the liquid medicine in the refrigerator, do not freeze. Throw away any unused liquid after 14 days.

Usual Adult Dose for Pseudomembranous Colitis:

Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea: 125 mg orally 4 times a day
-Duration of therapy: 10 days

Enterocolitis: 500 mg to 2 g orally per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day
-Maximum dose: 2 g/day
-Duration of therapy: 7 to 10 days

Comment: Formulations administered by injection will not treat colitis.

Uses:
-Treatment of C difficile-associated diarrhea
-Treatment of enterocolitis caused by S aureus (including MRSA)

Society of Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) and IDSA Recommendations:
Initial treatment of severe C difficile infection (CDI): 125 mg orally 4 times a day
-Duration of therapy: 10 to 14 days

Severe, complicated CDI: 500 mg orally 4 times a day AND 500 mg (in 100 mL normal saline) rectally every 6 hours with/without IV metronidazole

Comments:
-Rectal formulations should be administered as a retention enema.
-The first recurrence of CDI may be treated with the initial treatment regimen; a second recurrence of CDI may be treated with a tapered/pulsed regimen of this drug.

Uses:
-Initial treatment of patients with severe CDI
-Initial treatment of patients with complicated, severe CDI

Usual Adult Dose for Enterocolitis:

Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea: 125 mg orally 4 times a day
-Duration of therapy: 10 days

Enterocolitis: 500 mg to 2 g orally per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day
-Maximum dose: 2 g/day
-Duration of therapy: 7 to 10 days

Comment: Formulations administered by injection will not treat colitis.

Uses:
-Treatment of C difficile-associated diarrhea
-Treatment of enterocolitis caused by S aureus (including MRSA)

Society of Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) and IDSA Recommendations:
Initial treatment of severe C difficile infection (CDI): 125 mg orally 4 times a day
-Duration of therapy: 10 to 14 days

Severe, complicated CDI: 500 mg orally 4 times a day AND 500 mg (in 100 mL normal saline) rectally every 6 hours with/without IV metronidazole

Comments:
-Rectal formulations should be administered as a retention enema.
-The first recurrence of CDI may be treated with the initial treatment regimen; a second recurrence of CDI may be treated with a tapered/pulsed regimen of this drug.

Uses:
-Initial treatment of patients with severe CDI
-Initial treatment of patients with complicated, severe CDI

You should not vancomycin if you are allergic to it.

To make sure vancomycin is safe for you, 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.

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.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store vancomycin capsules at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Store vancomyin oral solution in the refrigerator.

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

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

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

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to vancomycin: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Certain side effects may occur if your body absorbs vancomycin through the intestinal walls. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• 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 vancomycin 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.

Other drugs may interact with 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.

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

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, call your doctor.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.