Vancocin®

Vancocin is available as 125mg Matrigel Capsules or in powder form for both intravenous injection and oral administration.

Vancocin (Vancomycin) may be used orally for the treatment of staphylococcai enterocolitis and pseudomembranous colitis due to Clostridium difficile.

Vancomycin is not significantly absorbed from the normal gastro-intestinal tract and is therefore not effective by the oral route for other types of infection. Intravenous administration may be used concomitantly if required.

Consideration should be given to official guidance on the appropriate use of antibacterial agents.

Vancomycin is indicated in potentially life threatening infections which cannot be treated with other effective, less toxic antimicrobial drugs, including the penicillins and cephalosporins.

Vancomycin is useful in the therapy of severe staphylococcal infections in patients who cannot receive or who have failed to respond to the penicillins and cephalosporins, or who have infections with staphylococci resistant to other antibiotics.

Vancomycin is used in the treatment of endocarditis and as prophylaxis against endocarditis in patients at risk from dental or surgical procedures. Its effectiveness has been documented in other infections due to staphylococci, including osteomyelitis, pneumonia, septicaemia and soft tissue infections. Vancomycin may be used orally for the treatment of staphylococcal enterocolitis and pseudomembranous colitis due to Clostridium difficile. Parenteral administration of vancomycin is not effective for these indications. Intravenous administration may be used concomitantly if required.

Consideration should be given to official guidance on the appropriate use of antibacterial agents.

Although powder is usually used reconstitued for injection, powder may also be used for oral administration in water where advised.