Have you or someone you know been prescribed Telavancin by a doctor? Or have you never heard of it? However, it is a special, powerful antibiotic that is used to treat some serious bacterial infections. So, it is very important to know this drug in simple, clear terms. Let's talk about it.
What is this medicine called Telavancin?
Simply put, Telavancin is an antibiotic . That is, a drug that helps fight and kill bacterial infections in our bodies. But it is often used to treat more severe bacterial infections that may not respond to other antibiotics.
The most important thing is that this only works on bacteria . It has no effect on viral infections like the common cold, flu, and cough.
This medicine is usually given to you as an infusion into a vein. It is often given by medical staff in a hospital or clinic. The brand name is Vibativ.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking medicine
This is very important for your safety. Before using Telavancin, you should definitely tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
- If you have diabetes .
- If you have heart disease or high blood pressure .
- If you have kidney disease (this is especially important because this medicine is eliminated through the kidneys).
- If you are taking medications that prevent or control blood clotting (blood thinners) .
- If you have had an allergic reaction to Telavancin or any other medicine, food, or dye.
- If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding, this is very important.
Based on this information, the doctor will decide whether this medication is right for you or not, or whether the dosage needs to be changed.
How do you use this medicine?
This medicine is usually given as an injection into a vein in a hospital. Sometimes, your doctor may recommend that you take this treatment at home. If that's the case, you will be given special instructions.
There are a few most important things:
- Take your medicine on time: Take your medicine exactly as your doctor tells you to, at the right time.
- Complete the course:It is important to take the full course of medication for the full number of days prescribed, even if you feel a little better. Otherwise, the infection may come back.
- If using at home: Never throw used needles and syringes in the trash. Ask your doctor about a special sharps container for them.
- If you take too much of this medicine: If you have even the slightest suspicion that you have taken too much of this medicine, go to the nearest ETU (Emergency Treatment Unit) immediately . Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital .
This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Never share it with anyone else.
What to do if you miss a dose of medicine?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
Because Telavancin is a powerful drug, it can interact with some other medications. Therefore, it is very important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking.
The table below shows just a few examples of this.
| Drug type | Description and examples |
|---|---|
| Drugs that should definitely not be used together | |
| Cidofovir | A medicine for viral infections. |
| Heparin (given into a vein) | A medicine given to prevent blood clotting. |
| Other medications that may cause problems (inform your doctor) | |
| Painkillers | NSAIDS-type medications such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen, and Naproxen. |
| Diuretics | Medicines that help remove water from the body (e.g. Furosemide). |
| Other anti-infectives | Drugs like Acyclovir, Aminoglycosides, Amphotericin B. |
| Other medications | Medications such as birth control pills, blood pressure medications, Cisplatin, and Cyclosporine. |
This list is not complete. Tell your doctor about every medication, vitamin, and herbal remedy you take. Don't forget to tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol.
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
- If your symptoms do not improve or if new symptoms appear, tell your doctor immediately .
- If you have diarrhea , do not take over-the-counter medications. If you have severe, watery diarrhea that lasts more than two days, it could be a sign of a serious side effect. So see your doctor immediately .
- Avoid getting pregnant: This is very important. Avoid getting pregnant while taking this medicine. If you are a woman, talk to your doctor about using appropriate birth control. This medicine can cause serious harm to an unborn baby.
What side effects might I experience?
Like any medicine, Telavancin can cause side effects. Some are minor, but others require immediate attention.
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, difficulty breathing. |
| Changes in urine | Change in the amount or color of urine (may affect the kidneys). |
| Other serious symptoms | Chest pain, severe dizziness , hearing changes, fever, chills, low blood pressure, unusual bleeding or bruising. |
| Usually does not require medical advice (but tell your doctor if it persists) | |
| Digestive system | Nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps. |
| Other minor features | Change in taste in the mouth, foamy urine, headache, pain or swelling at the injection site. |
If you experience any other unusual symptoms not mentioned in this list, talk to your doctor about that as well.
Take-Home Message
- Telavancin is a powerful antibiotic used to treat serious bacterial infections . It does not work against viruses.
- Before taking the medicine , be sure to tell your doctor about all your medical conditions (especially diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease) and all other medications you are taking.
- Even if you feel better, take the full amount of medicine prescribed by the doctor.
- If you experience any serious side effects such as skin rash, difficulty breathing, or severe diarrhea, seek medical advice immediately .
- Avoid becoming pregnant while taking this medicine. Talk to your doctor about this.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 What are Ofloxacin / Floxin Otic ear drops used for?
This is not just a painkiller for earaches! This is a highly effective and safe (Fluoroquinolone Antibiotic) medicine that is prescribed for severe 'ear infections (Otitis Media/Otitis Externa - swimmer's ear)', when the ear is filled with pus/wounded (even after an operation) and there are germs inside, to destroy 100% of those germs/bacteria!
💬 How do these ear drops (Ofloxacin) kill the nasty germs inside the ear?
This is an antibiotic! For bacteria to multiply in the ear and spread disease, they need a machine (DNA gyrase/Topoisomerase IV) to uncoil/repair the supercoiling of their new DNA. When these ear drops are put in the ear, they completely lock down and lock down all the bacteria's machinery (Inhibits DNA replication). Since they can't make new DNA, all the germs in the ear explode and die within hours.
💬 Usually, if you put medicine in your ear, it can cause itching/redness (Ear discomfort/Pruritus). But this is not the case with other medications. What are the new/serious side effects (Black Box Warnings)?
The main side effect of this is that since it is a (Fluoroquinolone) family drug, some people may have 'allergic reactions'. If your ear/face swells up and you have difficulty breathing (Anaphylaxis) after using the drops, you should go to the nearest hospital immediately! Also, if you continue to use it, other fungi (Fungal superinfections) may develop.
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