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Drug Class Description
Glycopeptides.Generic Name
Generic Therapeutic blood monitoring required. Peak concentrations (one hour post dose) should not exceed 30mg/L; trough concentrations (immediately pre-dose) should be less than 10mg/L.Presentation
Injection, powder for reconstitution, vancomycin (as hydrochloride), 500mg , 1g . Note: Powder for injection can be used to prepare solution for oral administration. Available from Dumex, Faulding. Capsules, vancomycin 125mg , 250mg . Available from Dumex.Indications
Infusion: Prophylaxis and treatment of bacterial endocarditis and other serious infections caused by Gram- positive cocci. Capsules: Staphylococcal enterocolitis and enterocolitis and pseudomembranous colitis.Adult Dosage
Intravenous infusion, 500mg over at least one hour every six hours or 1g over at least 100 minutes every 12 hours. Endocarditis prophylaxis, refer to manufacturer's prescribing information. Capsules: 500 mg daily in divided doses for 7 - 10 days; maximum 2 g daily.Child Dosage
Intravenous infusion, up to one week, initially 15mg/kg, then 10mg/kg every 12 hours; one to four weeks, initially 15mg/kg, then 10mg /kg every eight hours; over one month, 10mg/kg every six hours. Capsules, 40 mg/kg daily in three or four divided doses for 7 - 10 days; maximum 2 g daily.Special Precautions
Avoid rapid infusion. Impaired renal function. Previous hearing loss. Pregnancy and lactation. Elderly. Monitor blood levels, renal and auditory function.Interactions
Neurotoxic or nephrotoxic drugs, anaesthetics.Adverse Reactions
Infusion related events (anaphylactoid reactions, flushing), nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity, neutropenia, nausea, chills, fever, rashes, eosinophilia, hypersensitivity reactions, phlebitis, severe pain at injection site. Rarely, thrombocytopenia, agranulocytosis. On rapid infusion, severe hypotension, wheezing, dyspnoea, urticaria, pruritus, flushing of upper body ("red man" syndrome), pain and muscular spasm of back and chest.Drug Availability
(POM)