Vancocin is indicated for the treatment of C. difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD). Vancocin is also used for the treatment of enterocolitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus (including methicillin-resistant strains). Vancocin is contraindicated in patients who have experienced a hypersensitivity to vancomycin. Vancocin must be given orally for treatment of staphylococcal enterocolitis and CDAD. Orally administered Vancocin is not effective for other types of infections. Clinically significant serum concentrations have been reported in some patients who have taken multiple oral doses of Vancocin for active CDAD. Monitoring of serum concentrations may be appropriate in some instances.
Nephrotoxicity has occurred following oral Vancocin therapy and can occur either during or after completion of therapy. The risk is increased in geriatric patients. Monitor renal function. Ototoxicity has occurred in patients receiving Vancocin. Assessment of auditory function may be appropriate in some instances. Prescribing Vancocin in the absence of a proven or strongly suspected bacterial infection is unlikely to provide benefit to the patient and increases the risk of the development of drug resistant bacteria. In clinical trials, the most common adverse reactions (greater than or equal to 10 percent) were nausea (17 percent), abdominal pain (15 percent), and hypokalemia (13 percent). Patients over 65 years of age may take longer to respond to therapy compared to patients less than 65 years of age. Clinicians should be aware of the importance of appropriate duration of Vancocin treatment in patients over 65 years of age and not discontinue or switch to alternative treatment prematurely.