Vancomycin

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The active substance vancomycin is an antibiotic. It is one of the most important remedies for serious bacterial diseases such as meningitis (meningitis) or inflammation of the inner lining of the heart (endocarditis). Vancomycin is generally considered to be well tolerated, but in rare cases it can lead to allergic reactions. Here you can read everything you need to know about vancomycin.

This is how vancomycin works

The human immune system uses various mechanisms to protect the body from the implantation and spread of pathogens. As a rule, people do not even notice when their immune system is active, or they only experience slight symptoms as a result of the infection.

Sometimes, however, the body's defenses do not immediately manage to fight the pathogen successfully. The symptoms then become more severe. If the body can no longer master the pathogens, drugs can support the body in its defense.

The antibiotic vancomycin is one of these drugs. It intervenes in the structure of the cell wall of pathogenic bacteria, causing them to die. The immune system only has to take care of eliminating the bacteria and the symptoms of the disease improve very quickly.

Vancomycin is only effective against a certain type of bacteria (so-called "gram-positive" bacteria). The doctor must therefore determine beforehand which type of bacteria is to be fought.

Vancomycin uptake, breakdown and excretion

If vancomycin is taken orally (via the mouth), the active ingredient is not absorbed from the intestine into the blood because it cannot penetrate the intestinal wall. This makes sense if local infections in the intestine are to be combated.

If, on the other hand, the antibiotic is to work in the body tissue, it has to be introduced directly into the bloodstream. Once distributed, vancomycin is excreted unchanged in the urine.

When is vancomycin used?

Vancomycin is given by infusion when:

• severe bacterial diseases such as inflammation of the meninges or the lining of the heart

Vancomycin is used orally, i.e. by mouth, in the following cases:

This is how vancomycin is used

Depending on the clinical picture, vancomycin is either swallowed in the form of a solution (in the case of inflammation in the intestine) or in the form of an infusion directly into the bloodstream (in the case of inflammation in the body tissue such as meningitis).

The dosage for oral intake is between 500 milligrams and two grams per day, which should be divided into three to four individual doses. The duration of treatment should be around seven to ten days and is determined by the doctor depending on the severity of the disease.

The dosage for direct administration into the blood is similarly high.

Patients with kidney problems, children, adolescents and the elderly receive a reduced dose.

What are the side effects of vancomycin?

Occasionally, i.e. in one to ten percent of those treated, vancomycin causes side effects such as gastrointestinal complaints or allergic reactions (redneck syndrome).

In very rare cases, taking the antibiotic can have a damaging effect on the inner ear (ototoxic effect).

What should be considered when taking vancomycin?

Vancomycin medication should not be taken if there is acute kidney failure or hearing loss.

The simultaneous administration of agents that can also have a damaging effect on the inner ear or the kidneys should be avoided as far as possible.

Driving and using machines

Vancomycin has practically no effect on responsiveness. Therefore, after using the antibiotic, one can actively participate in traffic and operate heavy machinery.

Age restrictions

Medicines containing vancomycin can also be used in infants for severe bacterial diseases.

pregnancy and breast feeding period

The antibiotic can reach the unborn child via the placenta. So far, there is only very little experience with its use in pregnancy, which is why it is advisable to use tried and tested alternatives in the case of bacterial diseases.

During breastfeeding, the active ingredient reaches the baby through breast milk. Experts therefore recommend resorting to other antibiotics.

If other treatment is not possible, the attending physician should weigh the possible risks of using vancomycin against the individual benefit.

How to get medication with vancomycin

The therapy of a serious bacterial disease must be closely monitored by a doctor. This is why medications containing vancomycin require a prescription. You can get them with a doctor's prescription at the pharmacy.

Since when is vancomycin known?

The active ingredient from the group of so-called glycopeptide antibiotics was brought onto the market in 1959. Due to its strong effectiveness, vancomycin is considered a reserve antibiotic that can only be used in severe bacterial diseases.

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