Have you or anyone in your family been prescribed Vancomycin by a doctor? Or have you heard this name somewhere? This is a rather special medicine. So you probably have a lot of questions about what it is for, how to use it, and what precautions you need to take. Don't worry, we will talk about all this very simply today, in our language.
What is Vancomycin?
Simply put, Vancomycin is an antibiotic . But it's not like the antibiotics we usually take for a cold or cough. It belongs to a special class of drugs called (Glycopeptide).
Its main function is to control some serious bacterial infections that occur in our intestines . Imagine, sometimes when we use other types of antibiotics, the good bacteria in our intestines die, and instead, a bad, disease-causing type of bacteria (for example, *Clostridium difficile*) starts to multiply rapidly. This can cause serious problems like severe diarrhea and stomach pain. This is why doctors use this special medicine called Vancomycin to treat such conditions.
The most important thing is that this medicine cannot cure viral infections . That means it is of no use for things like colds, flu, and coughs. It only works on bacteria.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking medicine
Before you start taking this medication, it is very important to give your doctor a complete description of your health condition. This information will help them decide whether or not this medication is right for you, and how to administer it.
If you have any of the following, be sure to tell your doctor :
- If you have any kidney disease . (This is very important because this medicine is eliminated from the body through the kidneys)
- If you have other chronic intestinal diseases (for example , Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) ).
- If you have a condition like dehydration .
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant .
- If you are a mother who is breastfeeding .
- If you have previously had an allergy to Vancomycin or any other medicine, food, or dye.
How exactly do I use this medicine?
This comes as an oral solution, so keep these things in mind.
- Follow your doctor's instructions: It is very important to take the correct dose at the correct time, as your doctor tells you. Do not skip doses or take them late.
- Shake well: You should shake the bottle well before taking the medicine.
- Correct measurement: Use only the specially marked spoon or dropper that comes with the medicine to measure the dose. It is not possible to measure the exact dose with household teaspoons or tablespoons.
- Complete the course: Even if you feel better, finish the course of medication as prescribed by your doctor. Otherwise, the infection may come back.
- If given to children: If giving this medicine to children, it is essential to seek advice from a pediatrician.
What to do if the medication dose increases?
If you think you have taken too much medicine, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately . Alternatively, you can call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
Side effects and things to be aware of
Like all medications, Vancomycin can cause side effects in some people. Some of these can be serious, so it's important to be aware of them.
| Vancomycin side effects | |
|---|---|
| 🚨 Serious side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic Reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. |
| Difficulty breathing | Difficulty breathing, feeling of tightness in the chest. |
| Effects on the kidneys | Change in the amount or color of urine. |
| Hearing loss | Hearing loss or ringing in the ears. |
| Severe skin symptoms | Red or purple blisters on the skin, peeling skin, sores inside the mouth, skin lesions with fever, swollen lymph nodes in the neck or armpits. |
| Other | Dizziness, fever, unusual bruising or bleeding, extreme fatigue. |
| 🙂 Things that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Digestive system problems | Nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps. |
Other medications that may interact with Vancomycin
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medications, vitamins, or herbal products. The following medications may interact with Vancomycin, in particular:
- Cholestyramine and Colestipol: These are medications used to lower cholesterol. These medications prevent the absorption of Vancomycin in the intestines. Therefore, if you are taking either of these medications, you should wait 3-4 hours after taking Vancomycin before taking it .
- Birth control pills: This medicine may reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills, so talk to your doctor about this.
- Vancomycin injection: Your doctor should also be aware if you are receiving a Vancomycin injection while taking this medicine.
How to store the medicine?
After the pharmacy gives you this medicine as a liquid, it should be stored in the fridge . That is, at a temperature between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius. Never store it in the freezer .
Throw away any medicine left over after 14 days . It is not recommended to use it anymore. Also, like all medicines, keep this one out of the reach of children.
We hope this information is helpful to you. Remember, this is just general information. If you have any further questions about this medication, it is best to ask your doctor.
Take-Home Message
- Vancomycin is a special antibiotic given to treat severe bacterial infections of the intestines. It does not treat viral infections.
- Before taking the medication, be sure to tell your doctor about your kidney disease, other intestinal diseases, or allergies.
- Take the prescribed dose, at the prescribed time, for the prescribed number of days. Use the special spoon that comes with the medicine to measure it.
- If you experience any serious side effects such as skin blisters, difficulty breathing, or changes in the amount of urine, seek medical advice immediately.
- Keep the medicine in the refrigerator. Throw away any medicine that is more than 14 days old.
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