Vancomycin HCL Injection

Vancomycin injection is used to treat infections in different parts of the body. It is also given to patients with heart valve disease, like those with rheumatic fever or artificial heart valves, if they are allergic to penicillin. Sometimes, vancomycin is used with other medicines to help prevent inflammation of the heart lining in patients having dental work or surgery on their nose or throat. Vancomycin fights infections caused by bacteria by killing or stopping them from growing. It does not work for colds, the flu, or other virus infections.

How To Use?

• Vancomycin injection is a powder that must be mixed with liquid and put into a vein.
• It is usually given slowly over at least 60 minutes, every 6 or 12 hours. Newborn babies may receive it every 8 hours. 
• While getting the injection, you may react, often during or right after it. Tell your doctor right away if you feel dizzy, wheezy, have trouble breathing, itch, break out in hives, feel flushed in your upper body, or have muscle pain or cramps in your chest or back. 
• You can receive vancomycin injection in a hospital or at home. If you’re using it at home, try to take it around the same time every day. 
• Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor if you don’t understand something. Use the injection exactly as prescribed: don’t give it faster than directed, and don’t use more or less than your doctor says. 
• If you are using vancomycin at home, your healthcare provider will teach you how to give the injection. Make sure you understand these instructions and ask your provider if you have any questions. 
• If you have problems while giving the injection, tell your healthcare provider. You should start to feel better in the first few days of treatment.
• Use the full course of vancomycin as prescribed, even if you start feeling better. Stopping too soon or skipping doses could mean your infection isn’t fully treated, and the bacteria might not respond to antibiotics in the future.

Benefits of Vancomycin Injection 

Serious Bacterial Infections 

Vancomycin Injection helps by killing harmful bacteria that cause serious infections. It can treat various types of bacterial infections, including lung infections (like pneumonia) and urinary tract infections. A doctor or nurse gives this medicine through a vein, and you should not give it to yourself. Vancomycin usually helps you feel better quickly, but it’s important to keep taking it as your doctor says, even if you feel fine. This ensures all the bacteria are gone and don’t become resistant to the treatment.

Side Effects

Most side effects don’t need a doctor’s help and go away as your body gets used to the medicine. Talk to your doctor if they last a long time or if you are concerned about them.

• Flatulence
• Hearing loss
• Renal toxicity
• Headache
• Fever
• Peripheral edema
• Fatigue
• Urinary tract infection
• Back pain
• Red man syndrome
• Breathlessness
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Decreased potassium level in blood
• Abdominal pain
• Decreased white blood cell count (neutrophils)
• Phlebitis
• Hypotension (low blood pressure)

Precautions

• You can ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients. Also, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any medicines, vitamins, supplements, or herbal products you are taking or plan to take while using vancomycin. 
• Your doctor may need to adjust your medicine dosages or keep a close watch on you for side effects. Let your doctor know if you have had hearing issues or kidney problems. 
• Tell them if you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using vancomycin, contact your doctor. If you are having any surgery, including dental work, inform your doctor or dentist that you are receiving vancomycin.