Vancocin® HCl Capsules (vancomycin hydrochloride capsules, USP) are the capsule form of vancomycin hydrochloride. Vancomycin hydrochloride is an antibacterial agent. It kills susceptible bacteria by weakening their cell wall structure. This causes the bacteria's cell wall to break open and the organism to die.
Vancocin Capsules are used to treat two bacterial infections that affect part of the gastrointestinal tract called the colon.
Vancocin Capsules may be administered orally for the treatment of antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis caused by Clostridium difficile and enterocolitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus (including methicillin-resistant strains).
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The following topics address questions you may have about your Vancocin® prescription:
WHAT ARE VANCOCIN® HCL CAPSULES?
VANCOCIN® HCL capsules are an antibiotic used to treat infections caused by certain germs caused bacteria. VANCOCIN® HCL capsules kills many of the bacteria that reside in the colon and has been shown to be safe and effective in a number of clinical trials.
Sometimes viruses rather than bacteria may infect the colon. VANCOCIN® HCL capsules like other antibiotics, do not kill viruses.
What do VANCOCIN® HCL CAPSULES look like?
VANCOCIN® HCL capsules are navy blue and green for the 125 mg capsule and navy blue and pink for the 250mg capsule.
What are VANCOCIN® HCL CAPSULES indicated to treat?
VANCOCIN® HCL capsules are indicated to treat antibiotic associated pseudomembranous colitis caused by Clostridium difficile and staphylococcal entero-colitis.
How do VANCOCIN® HCL CAPSULES work?
VANCOCIN® HCL capsules work by preventing bacterial cell walls from forming, this in turn kills the bacteria. VANCOCIN® HCL capsules are poorly absorbed after being taken orally and little, if any, drug enters the blood stream. VANCOCIN® HCL capsules, therefore, works at the site of the infection within the colon.
VANCOCIN® HCL capsules are available in 2 different strengths (125 mg and 250 mg). Your prescriber will select the most appropriate strength and duration of therapy for your infection. Use only the antibiotic that your healthcare professional prescribed for your condition, and not one used by another person or for another illness. Take the prescribed amount of drug at the correct times and do not skip doses. Even if you start to feel better, continue taking your drug for the full course (prescribed number of days) to ensure that no infectious bacteria can survive.
ABOUT YOUR PRESCRIPTION
Why are VANCOCIN® HCL CAPSULES prescribed for you?
VANCOCIN® HCL capsules is an antibiotic used to treat certain infections caused by germs known as bacteria. If you have one of these kinds of infections, your healthcare professional may have chosen VANCOCIN® HCL capsules to treat your infection.
What to expect with VANCOCIN® HCL capsules
The information provided below about use of VANCOCIN® HCL capsules do not take the place of discussions with your healthcare professional about your medical condition or your treatment. All the benefits and risks of VANCOCIN® HCL capsules are not included in the information below.
How and when should I take VANCOCIN® HCL capsules?
VANCOCIN® HCL capsules should be taken depending on your prescription. The usual dose in adults is 500 mg to 2 g administered by mouth in 3 or 4 divided doses for 7 to 10 days. The usual dosage in pediatric patients is a daily dosage of 40 mg/kg divided into 3 or 4 doses for 7 to 10 days. The total daily dose in children should not exceed 2 g. VANCOCIN® HCL capsules should be swallowed and may be taken with or without food. Try to take the capsule at the same time each day.
You may begin to feel better quickly; however, in order to make sure that all bacteria are killed, you should complete the full course of medication. Do not take more than the prescribed dose of VANCOCIN® HCL capsules even if you missed a dose by mistake. You should not take a double dose.
Who should not take VANCOCIN® HCL capsules?
You should not take VANCOCIN® HCL capsules if you have a known hypersensitivity to vancomycin.
If you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant while taking VANCOCIN® HCL capsules, talk to your healthcare professional before taking this medication. VANCOCIN® HCL capsules are not recommended for use during pregnancy or nursing, as the effects on the unborn child or nursing infant are unknown. VANCOCIN® HCL capsules should only be given to a pregnant woman if clearly needed.
What are the side effects of VANCOCIN® HCL capsules?Adverse events include nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity, reversible neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and “Red Man’s Syndrome”. In patients with renal dysfunction or those receiving concomitant therapy with an aminoglycoside, serial renal function testing should be performed. In patients receiving concomitant therapy with another ototoxic agent, serial tests of auditory function may be helpful in order to minimize the risk of ototoxicity. Infrequently allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis, and exfoliative dermatitis have been reported.
How should I store VANCOCIN® HCL capsules?
Store VANCOCIN® HCl capsules at room temperature, 59° to 86°F (15° to 30°C)
TALKING WITH YOUR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL
A bacterial infection can slow you down, keep you from work, and other activities. When speaking with your healthcare professional, he or she will ask you about your symptoms before diagnosing the condition and conducting any tests.
When you talk with your doctor or other healthcare professional, here a few things to keep in mind:
Tell your doctor and other healthcare professionals about any changes in your daily life.
You should also inform your healthcare professionals of the following:
- If you are taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medications, herbal supplements or vitamins
- Any allergies to medications, or if you suspect you have previously experienced an adverse or allergic reaction to a particular medicine
- If you are currently pregnant, have plans to become pregnant, or if you are nursing a baby
- Illnesses or problems for which another doctor or healthcare professional is currently treating or has recently treated you
Ask About Side Effects
A side effect or adverse reaction is an unwanted effect of a medication or therapy that occurs in addition to its intended effect. Some side effects are more predictable. Known and common side effects are listed in the printed information that comes with every drug.
Some adverse reactions occur unexpectedly, some may be serious and some cannot be predicted. Serious adverse reactions are generally rare. The causes of adverse reactions include medication errors, such as overdose, interactions between drugs, or interactions between drugs and certain foods. Call your doctor, pharmacist or other healthcare professional immediately if you think you have experienced an adverse reaction to a medication.
Your doctor, pharmacist or other healthcare professional can help you anticipate, understand and deal with side effects. Ask them any questions or discuss any concerns you have about your medications.
Follow Prescription Directions
Always take medications as instructed by your doctor, pharmacist or other healthcare professional, and do not change the way you take them unless instructed by them to do so.
If you are a caregiver for another adult, you may have to remind him or her to take a medication, or you may need to administer it yourself.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION REGARDING VANCOCIN® HCL CAPSULES
Clinically significant serum concentrations have been reported in some patients who have taken multiple doses of VANCOCIN® HCL capsules for active Clostridium difficile pseudomembranous colitis; therefore monitoring serum concentrations may be appropriate in some instances e.g. patients with renal insufficiency.
Some patients with inflammatory disorders of the intestinal mucosa may have significant systemic absorption of vancomycin and therefore, maybe at risk for the development of adverse reactions associated with the parenteral administration of vancomycin (see package insert accompanying the intravenous preparation). The risk is greater if renal impairment is present. It should be noted that the total systemic and renal clearance of vancomycin are reduced in the elderly.
Ototoxicity has occurred in patients receiving vancomycin. It maybe transient or permanent. It has been reported mostly in patients who have been given excessive intravenous doses, who have an underlying hearing loss, or who are receiving concomitant therapy with another ototoxic agent, such as an aminoglycoside. Serial tests of auditory function maybe helpful in order to minimize the risk of ototoxicity.
When patients with underlying renal dysfunction or those receiving concomitant therapy with an aminoglycoside are being treated, serial monitoring of renal function should be performed.
Use of vancomycin may result in overgrowth of nonsusceptibile organisms. If superinfection occurs during therapy, appropriate measures should be taken.
ANTIBIOTIC INFORMATION
Antibiotics, also known as antibacterial or antimicrobial drugs, fight infections caused by bacteria. When these medications emerged in the 1930's and 1940's, they transformed medical care by dramatically reducing illness and death from infectious diseases.
Antibacterial drugs continue to bring relief to people recovering from a variety of bacterial illnesses and they keep bacterial infections from being the killer they were less than 100 years ago. But the use of antibiotics promotes the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. And over the last half century, common bacteria have developed resistance to certain antibiotics.
Antibiotic resistance is a serious area for concern. Many common bacteria causing infections are becoming resistant to certain antibiotics and common infections, once easily treatable with antibiotics, could again cause danger and suffering for those who contract these infections.
It is important to understand that there are many controllable factors that play into the potential for resistance. There are a variety of antibacterial drugs available. Your healthcare professional is your best advisor when and if an antibiotic is right for you, and they can help you understand the appropriate use of antibiotics.
There are many types of bacteria, which are tiny living organisms. Most are harmless and some are even helpful. A few bacteria can cause diseases in humans. An antibiotic is a drug that can slow or stop the growth of bacteria. The proper use of antibiotics is important to ensure that the drug works well against the bacteria.
Remember the 3 Ds of appropriate antibiotic use:
- The right Drug. Use only the antibiotic that your healthcare professional prescribed for your condition, and not one used by another person or for another illness.
- The right Dose. Take the prescribed amount of your drug at the correct times.
- The right Duration. Even if you start to feel better, continue taking your drug for the full course (the prescribed number of days) to ensure that no bacteria can survive.