Covan

Vancomycin binds tightly to D-alanyl-D-alanine portion cell wall precursor causing blockage of glycopeptide polymerisation which produces immediate inhibition of cell wall synthesis and secondary damage to the cytoplasmic membrane.

Vancomycin is well tolerated. However during or soon after rapid infusion of Vancomycin, patients may develop anaphylactic reactions including hypotension, wheezing, dyspnoea, urticaria or pruritus. Rapid infusion may also cause flushing of the upper body (“red neck”) or pain and muscle spasm of the chest and back. These reactions usually resolve within 20 minutes but may persist for several hours. Such events are infrequent if Vancomycin is given by a slow infusion over 60 minutes.

It is not known whether it causes foetal harm or not. Vancomycin should be given in pregnancy only if clearly needed and blood levels should be monitored carefully to minimise the risk of foetal toxicity.

Vancomycin Hydrochloride is excreted in human milk. Caution should be exercised when Vancomycin is administered to a nursing woman. It is unlikely that a nursing infant can absorb a significant amount of Vancomycin from its gastro-intestinal tract

Patients with borderline renal function and individuals over the age of 60 should be given serial tests of auditory function and of Vancomycin blood levels. All patients receiving the drug should have periodic haematological studies, urine analysis and renal function tests.

Vancomycin is very irritating to tissue and causes injection site necrosis when injected intramuscularly. It must be infused intravenously. Injection site pain and thrombophlebitis occur in many patients receiving Vancomycin and are occasionally severe.

Prolonged use of Vancomycin may result in the overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms. Careful observation of the patient is essential. If superinfection occurs during therapy, appropriate measures should be taken. In rare instances, there have been reports of pseudomembranous colitis due to C. difficile, developing in patients who received intravenous Vancomycin.

Other antibiotic

Supportive care is advised with maintenance of glomerular filtration. Vancomycin is poorly removed from the blood by haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. Haemoperfusion with Amberlite resin XAD-4 has been reported to be of limited benefit

Store in a cool and dry place, protected from light. Keep out of reach of children.