Question 1

what is vancomycin used for?

Accepted Answer

Vancomycin: Vancomycin is used to treat bacterial infections.

Question 2

what is vancomycin best used for?

Accepted Answer

Gram positive infs.: Vancomycin is an antibiotic that is used to treat gram positive infections usually caused by staphylococcus and streptococcus species.  It is most commonly used to treat MRSA and clostridium difficile colitis.

Question 3

what does vancomycin treat? how does it work?

Accepted Answer

Vancomycin: Vancomycin is a antibiotic. It treats bacterial infections.

Question 4

how long does vancomycin stay in your system?

Accepted Answer

24 hrs: 24 hrs for clinical consideration.

Question 5

why i.v. injection of vancomycin is given slowly?

Accepted Answer

IV vancomycin: It is given slowly to give less discomfort, to give less injury to the vessel wall and thus prevent the antibiotic from going into the tissues and causing damage.

Question 6

how long is it supposed to it take for vancomycin to start 'working"?

Accepted Answer

Antibiotic onset: All antibiotics help our immune system attack infections.  Vanc is a 'static' antibiotic meaning it inhibits growth of bacteria.  Some are 'cidal' (cause bacteria to die). Onset depends on how well we also control the infection.  Is drainage needed, does foreign material need to come out, is there a clot or valve infection that needs surgery? Look for improvemt in 48hrs; if not investigate more.

Question 7

what is the highest safe dose of vancomycin ?  i am getting 3 grams a day.

Accepted Answer

Variable: This is determined by the estimated risk/benefit ratio.  If vancomycin is felt to be the most effective treatment and the infection is life-threatening, then higher doses may be necessary.  This drug is actually fairly safe compared to some others, and doses are adjusted by the serum levels obtained.  Cannot comment on your treatment without knowing more, but 3 gms is not unusual.

Question 8

if a drug has bi-exponential distribution (vancomycin), what does that mean?

Accepted Answer

Drug distribution: This is a statistical complicated function that can be used to describe a drug's distribution through tissues and blood in the body. It cannot be easily explained here, but if you have mathematical abilities, go on line and look this up.  Good luck.

Question 9

for vancomycin why check trough and peak. what does low or high trough and peak mean?

Accepted Answer

To know correct dose: The levels of vancomycin in the blood are not accurately predictable based only on the dose given. The peak level is to make sure the dose isn't too high and the trough to make sure it isn't too low. These tests are especially important if there are kidney problems. I'm sure your doctor knows what she is doing, but if in doubt, ask for consultation with an infectious diseases specialist.

Question 10

is vancomycin sulfur-based?

Accepted Answer

Sulfur in vancomycin: Look up in wikipedia and if you see an S in the diagram of the structure.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Vancomycin 1250 mg

A member asked:

What is vancomycin used for?

A member asked:

What is vancomycin best used for?

A member asked:

What does vancomycin treat? how does it work?

A member asked:

How long does vancomycin stay in your system?

A member asked:

Why i.v. injection of vancomycin is given slowly?

A member asked:

How long is it supposed to it take for vancomycin to start 'working"?

A member asked:

What is the highest safe dose of vancomycin ? i am getting 3 grams a day.

A member asked:

If a drug has bi-exponential distribution (vancomycin), what does that mean?

A member asked:

For vancomycin why check trough and peak. what does low or high trough and peak mean?

A member asked:

Is vancomycin sulfur-based?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?