An antibiotic which is effective against some bacteria which are resistant to other antibiotics. Strains of bacteria resistant to vancomycin have now developed.
Antibiotic used to treat some bacterial infections. Adverse effects include tinnitus, dizziness, and anaphylaxis.
An antibiotic. Vancomycin (Vancocin) is used to treat diarrhea or colitis caused by a particular bacteria. Vancomycin is also used to treat heart valve disease, such as rheumatic fever or infections associated with artificial heart valves. It may also be used to prevent endocarditis (inflammation of the tissue lining the heart) in people at risk who are having dental work or surgery on the upper respiratory tract. Vancomycin is used in certain infections of the bone, skin, and tissues that might be resistant to other antibiotics.
An antibiotic, derived from Streptomyces orientalis, that is effective against most Gram-positive organisms (e.g. streptococci and staphylococci). It is given by intravenous infusion for infections due to strains that are resistant to other antibiotics. It usually has a low toxicity but may cause deafness or thrombophlebitis.
An antibiotic derived from streptomyces, which is active against a wide range of gram-positive organisms, including the staphylococcus. It is not used for general infections, for which penicillin derivatives are preferred, but reserved for intravenous route in the prophylaxis and treatment of endocarditis and other serious infections caused by gram-positive cocci in particular, methicillin-resistant staphylococcus arureus (MRSA). Its blood levels must be monitored to make sure it does not reach levels potentially damaging to the middle ear and the kidney. A short course of vancomycin is effective in the treatment of antibiotic-associated colitis, for which it is given by mouth.