What does it do?
Vancomycin is used to treat and prevent infections.
How is it given?
Vancomycin is given as a slow infusion into a vein, usually by a health professional.
What if you forget a dose?
The missed dose should be given as soon as possible and treatment should continue as directed. If you miss a dose, contact your health professional as soon as possible.
Can you take other medicines?
Tell your pharmacist or doctor about all medicines or treatments that you may be taking, including vitamins, herbal products or recreational drugs.
What side effects might you notice?
| Side Effects | Recommended action |
|---|---|
|
Reaction during the infusion including: flushing, redness, itching, short of breath, dizziness, fast or irregular heartbeat Chills, fever |
Tell your doctor immediately |
|
Hearing loss, ringing in the ears |
Tell your doctor |
|
Pain, tenderness or redness at injection site |
Tell your doctor if troublesome |
If you notice any other effects, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.
Other information:
- Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems or have an allergy to antibiotics.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
This leaflet contains important, but not all, information about this medicine.
Prepared by the PILs Committee at Christchurch Hospital, Canterbury District Health Board, New Zealand. October 2018
For more general information about this sheet and its contents, see: What does a My Medicines sheet cover?
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About My Medicines
My Medicines Patient Information Leaflets (PILs) contain important, but not all, information about the medicines they describe.
For more information about the sheets, see: What does a My Medicines sheet cover?
My Medicines is developed by a team at the Canterbury District Health Board. Our team is made up of doctors, pharmacists, and a non-medical person to help us keep to plain language. We also discuss our information with specialist health professionals or groups when needed