Infectious Diseases Vancomycin: Uses, Side Effects, and Dosage How this antibiotic is used By Naveed Saleh, MD, MS Naveed Saleh, MD, MS LinkedIn Twitter Naveed Saleh, MD, MS, is a medical writer and editor covering new treatments and trending health news. Learn about our editorial process Updated on June 09, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Anju Goel, MD, MPH Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH LinkedIn Anju Goel, MD, MPH, is a board-certified physician who specializes in public health, communicable disease, diabetes, and health policy. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Vancomycin is an antibiotic of last resort usually used to treat drug-resistant infections. Vancomycin, a generic drug, was first isolated from Bornean soil samples more than 50 years ago. Initially, few clinicians used vancomycin, instead preferring other antibiotics that were considered more effective (vancomycin takes longer to act than penicillins) and less toxic. However, beginning in the early 1980s, physicians and other healthcare professionals started to express renewed interest in this drug. This renewed interest was due both to vancomycin's ability to fight methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and the ability to treat pseudomembranous colitis. Pseudomembranous colitis is a severe infection of the colon (diarrhea) that takes hold after treatment with other antibiotics kills normal bowel flora. PeopleImages / E+ / Getty Images Mechanism of Action Vancomycin is a tricyclic glycopeptide. It binds to bacterial cell walls and alters cell membrane permeability. It also interferes with bacterial RNA synthesis. When fighting most gram-positive organisms like staphylococci and streptococci, vancomycin's actions are bacteriocidal. In other words, vancomycin works to directly kill the gram-positive bacteria. However, when fighting enterococci, another type of gram-positive organism, vancomycin's actions are bacteriostatic, and it works to inhibit bacterial reproduction. What Is Vancomycin Used For? As an antibiotic, Vancomycin treats bacterial infections. It targets a number of specific bacterial pathogens and can effectively cure a range of bacterial-related diseases. Bacteria Covered Vancomycin is active against various bacterial pathogens, many of which are resistant to other types of antibiotics, including: Severe staphylococcal infections in people who are allergic to penicillin: Affect skin and bloodstreamMRSA: Affects skin and bloodstreamMethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE): Affects skin, implanted medical devices, bloodstreamDrug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae: Affects lungs, ears, meninges (brain lining)Severe enterococcal infections in people who are allergic to penicillin: Affect skin, heart valves, bloodstream)Severe enterococcal infections that are resistant to penicillinViridans streptococci: Affects bloodstream and heart valvesMultidrug-resistant Corynebacterium jeikeium: Affects bloodstream and heart valvesClostridium difficile (C. difficile or C. diff): Affects the gastrointestinal (GI) tract Diseases Treated Vancomycin is used to treat several forms of serious infection, including: PneumoniaBone, skin, and soft-tissue infectionsPeritonitis (inflammation of the peritonium, within the abdominal wall)Endocarditis (heart infection)Enterocolitis and pseudomembranous colitis (bowel infections)To prevent disease when undergoing dental, biliary (upper abdomen), GI, respiratory, and genitourinary (in the genitals and urinary organs) infectionsBrain abscess (off-label use)Infections at the time of surgery (off-label use)Meningitis (off-label use) Administration and Dosage Because vancomycin is poorly absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract, it is usually administered as an injection. However, when used to treat enterocolitis and pseudomembranous colitis, both infections of the gastrointestinal tract, patients take oral vancomycin. Vancomycin is usually administered in an inpatient (hospital) setting. Inpatient pharmacists are usually called on to calculate dosages. Furthermore, because vancomycin is excreted by the kidneys, the dosing of this drug is more complicated in people with renal failure (kidney failure). What is vancomycin hydrochloride? Vancomycin hydrochloride is vancomycin with the acid salt hydrochloride added. Many drugs have a salt added because the salt enables them to be better absorbed into the digestive system or bloodstream. Often, medications may not list the salt and will just have the active medication, “vancomycin,” on their labels. Adverse Effects Serious detrimental side effects attributable to vancomycin are rare. Vancomycin's most common adverse effect is a limited hypersensitivity or allergic reaction, as well as fever, nausea, rash, and tinnitus (ringing or rushing sound in ears). In rare yet serious cases, vancomycin can be nephrotoxic and damage the kidneys, especially when administered with aminoglycosides, another type of antibiotic. Moreover, when administered with aminoglycosides or high-dose intravenous erythromycin, also another type of antibiotic, vancomycin can damage hearing (ototoxicity). Finally, vancomycin side effects can include hyperemia, or red-man syndrome, a type of flushing. Vancomycin red-man syndrome flushing can be mitigated if the patient is first given antihistamines. A Word From Verywell Vancomycin resistance poses a growing concern among clinicians, researchers, and epidemiologists alike. Because vancomycin is one of the last lines of defense against dangerous and drug-resistant diseases, the prospect that it will no longer work to combat infection is undeniably frightful and leaves few other options. Specifically, strains of vancomycin-resistant enterococci have cropped up in hospitals worldwide. Because vancomycin is usually administered in hospitals, skilled-nursing facilities, nursing homes, and similar facilities, it's imperative that healthcare professionals take steps to limit vancomycin resistance. This can be done by curbing the overprescribing of drugs and limiting the spread of vancomycin resistance among patients through proper patient isolation and hygiene practices. Frequently Asked Questions Can vancomycin treat sepsis? Yes. To treat sepsis, it is necessary to use antibiotics to clear up any infection. Vancomycin may be administered intravenously in combination with other antibiotics to manage the infection. Learn More: What Is Sepsis? Which drugs interact with vancomycin? No drugs are known to have serious interactions with vancomycin. However, there is the possibility of interactions with other prescription and nonprescription drugs or medications Specifically, let your doctor know if you are taking any of the following: amikacin (Amikin), amphotericin B (Fungizone), bacitracin, cisplatin (Platinol), colistin, gentamicin (Garamycin), kanamycin (Kantrex), polymyxin B, streptomycin, and tobramycin (Nebcin). Learn More: Reduce your Risk of Adverse Reactions to Medication How long can you stay on vancomycin? Vancomycin should be taken for seven to ten days. Usually, it is prescribed to be taken three to four times per day for that period. Do not stop taking the medication early and do not exceed the number of days or doses prescribed. Learn More: Antibiotic Side Effects in Children How quickly does vancomycin work? Many people begin to see an improvement in their symptoms within three days of starting vancomycin. However, it is important to continue taking the medication as prescribed. Learn More: How long does it take for antibiotics to work? Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 4 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. MedlinePlus. Vancomycin. Huang V, Clayton NA, Welker KH. Glycopeptide hypersensitivity and adverse reactions. Pharmacy (Basel). 2020;8(2):70. doi:10.3390/pharmacy8020070 Bauters T, Claus B, Schelstraete P, Robays H, Benoit Y, Dhooge C. Vancomycin-induced red man syndrome in pediatric oncology: still an issue? Int J Clin Pharm. 2012 Feb;34(1):13-6. doi: 10.1007/s11096-011-9593-z Stanford Health. Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock Antibiotic Guide.