Question 1

my mother has mrsa and is taking vancomycin iv, has anyone had side effects?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Side effects are possible with any medication. Vancomycin can cause kidney abnormality , it can cause the red person syndrome( itching, flushing of neck, face and torso) when given too fast intravenously, ototoxicity ( hearing problems), although these possibilities exist  this should not deter treatment of MRSA with vancomycin, not everyone who receive vancomycin will have side effects.

Question 2

developed mastitis with an abscess and mrsa. received iv vancomycin ( 5 months ago) currently root canal done on abscess tooth, what is the likelihood of mrsa moving to my mouth signs and symptoms to look for!

Accepted Answer

Possible, not likely: Staph (whether MRSA or non-MRSA types) is not a common cause of dental abscesses, although it could happen. All abscess symptoms are pretty much the same, no matter what bacteria are involved:  swelling, pain, redness, and potentially draining pus. Discuss with your dentist and follow her advice if antibiotic treatment is prescribed.

Question 3

my dad had mrsa in april, cleared to go home and on vancomycin 2x/day for 1 month. going to see him with 8-mos. old baby july 1.  safe for baby?

Accepted Answer

MRSA: If you are concerned about this.  I would have your father discuss it with his doctor to find out if you should bring your daughter.  Some people can become carriers of MRSA but to give you that information, I would need more information about your father's infection. We also may have an infectious disease expert who could give you a better answer.

Question 4

does skin mrsa look like a bruise after vancomycin?

Accepted Answer

To vague: Vancomycin if given to fast causes red man syndrome. The skin becomes red a bruise doesn't sound like this is related to vancomycin.

Question 5

my doctor has put me on a second round of vancomycin oral capsules for sinus mrsa.  he insists it will work.  should i keep taking them?  (on week 3)

Accepted Answer

No: Oral vancomycin is not absorbed and is only used to treat clostridium difficile colitis. Mrsa sinusitis should be treated with Minocycline or bactrim/septra which have good activity vs MRSA and get high levels in nasal secretions. I also use Bactroban Nasal ointment to help eliminate nasal colonization.  Oral vancomycin is an inappropriate treatment for any sinusitis. Get a second opinion.

Question 6

i have sinus mrsa. i was put on oral vancomycin.  i heard that won't absorb.  what can i do to get rid of it?  i just had surgery.  is that dangerous?

Accepted Answer

Sulfa drugs: Mrsa means methicillin resistant staph. Aureus.  Many infectious disease specialists become very concerned about this.  The bacterium simply is resistant to this particular antibiotic.  In my experience most of these organisms are sensitive to sulfa drugs.  Incidentally, vancomycin is not given by mouth.  I do not think it is dangerous.  Get a culture and sensitivity and be placed on correct drug.

Question 7

i got mrsa from a picc line in a hospital treated with vancomycin it was in my heart what are the symptoms of mrsa coming back there or other places?

Accepted Answer

No difference likely: There are no specific differences in symptoms with a systemic MRSA infection from another infection, except that the former tends to progress more rapidly and can be somewhat more severe than many other bacteria. Should you develop fevers, chills, severe malaise, etc, you need to see a doctor asap.  Hope this never happens.

Question 8

what effects might mrsa have on connective tissues of the foot? infection x 4 months. vancomycin 2 gm iv x 6 weeks. awaiting surgery consult.

Accepted Answer

When taking : Antibiotics for that long a period of time the concern usually is whether or not the infection has spread to the bone. The purpose of a surgery consult may be to decide if something needs to be drained or debrided.

Question 9

dr lupo i was in the hospital for a week on vancomycin with mrsa on my labia. how long does it take to not be tired & to feel better?thank you

Accepted Answer

Recovery time: I usually tell patients that it depends 'how sick' you were in the beginning to predict 'how long' it will take you to recover. So if you were really, really sick -hospitalized etc, then it will take perhaps longer than you think to recover. Think of it as going up and over the mountain -you still have to make it all the way down after that awful experience. Hang in there. If doubts, see your doc.

Question 10

i had surgery after 8 months of sinus infections.  found out it is mrsa.  is surgery safe with mrsa?  i am on oral vancomycin; 250 mg (2 caps 4x 2 wk

Accepted Answer

Bad: Oral vancomycin is not adsorbed!

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Doctor answers about:

Mrsa and vancomycin

A member asked:

My mother has mrsa and is taking vancomycin iv, has anyone had side effects?

A member asked:

Developed mastitis with an abscess and mrsa. received iv vancomycin ( 5 months ago) currently root canal done on abscess tooth, what is the likelihood of mrsa moving to my mouth signs and symptoms to look for!

A member asked:

My dad had mrsa in april, cleared to go home and on vancomycin 2x/day for 1 month. going to see him with 8-mos. old baby july 1. safe for baby?

A member asked:

Does skin mrsa look like a bruise after vancomycin?

A member asked:

My doctor has put me on a second round of vancomycin oral capsules for sinus mrsa. he insists it will work. should i keep taking them? (on week 3)

A member asked:

I have sinus mrsa. i was put on oral vancomycin. i heard that won't absorb. what can i do to get rid of it? i just had surgery. is that dangerous?

A member asked:

I got mrsa from a picc line in a hospital treated with vancomycin it was in my heart what are the symptoms of mrsa coming back there or other places?

A member asked:

What effects might mrsa have on connective tissues of the foot? infection x 4 months. vancomycin 2 gm iv x 6 weeks. awaiting surgery consult.

A member asked:

Dr lupo i was in the hospital for a week on vancomycin with mrsa on my labia. how long does it take to not be tired & to feel better?thank you

A member asked:

I had surgery after 8 months of sinus infections. found out it is mrsa. is surgery safe with mrsa? i am on oral vancomycin; 250 mg (2 caps 4x 2 wk

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