Vancomycin: Composition, Uses, benefits Indications, Contraindications, interactions, Dosage, Mechanism of actions, Side effects and Price
#Vancomycin Hydrochloride For Injection USP 1gm
COMPOSITION :
Each vial contains: Vancomycin Hydrochloride USP eq.to anhydrous Vancomycin 1gm.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Vancomycin is primarily active against gram positive bacteria. Strains of Staph aureus and those which are resistant to methicillin (MRSA) are inhibited by vancomycin.
MECHANISM OF ACTION:
It is bactericidal drug and it exerts its action by inhibiting the synthesis bacteria.
PHARMACOKINETICS:
After oral administration it is poorly absorbed. It is given by parenteral route and high concentration of drug may accumulate when renal function is impaired.
Onset of Action: within minutes.
Duration of Action: 6-8 hours.
INDICATIONS:
In serious life threatening staphylococcus infections resistant to other antibiotics. In severe staphylococcal infections in patients with CHD, rheumatic heart disease or other valvular heart disease when they undergo surgical procedure of upper Respiratory tract or dental surgery.
#Vancomycin injection is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat certain serious infections such as endocarditis (infection of the heart lining and valves), peritonitis (inflammation of the lining of the abdomen), and infections of the lungs, skin, blood, and bones (osteomyelitis).
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION OF VANCOMYCIN
Adults: 2gm daily in 2-4 divided doses. For adults you can give 1g twice daily for as long as the doctor specifies.
Children: 10mg/kg every 6hrs.
Infants & neonates: Initially 15mg/kg followed by 10mg/kg 12 hourly in first week of life and then 8 hourly up to 1 month of age.
CONTRAINDICATIONS:
Hypersensitivity to vancomycin.
Patients with renal failure
ADVERSE OR SIDE EFFECTS OF VANCOMYCIN:
Hypersensitivity reactions e.g. skin rash and anaphylaxis. Local pain and phlebitis at site of intravenous injection. Nausea, chills, fever, ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity, eosinophilia.
SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS:
Renal impairment, previous hearing loss, to monitor renal and auditory functions and blood levels.
Children: Rapid or bolus administration.
VANCOMYCIN INTERACTIONS:
#Vancomycin interact with these classes of drugs below potentiating or reducing their efficacy and sometimes toxicity or side effects.
👉Anion-exchange resins: Antagonism of oral vancomycin by cholestyramine.
👉Aminoglycosides: Risk of nephrotoxicity may be increased. So, #vancomycin should not be taken with drugs like gentamicin, amikacin, tobramycin, neomycin, and streptomycin.
👉Nondepolarizing Muscle Relaxants: The neuromuscular blockade may be enchanced.
STORAGE:
Store below 25°c. Protect from light and moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.
PRESENTATION :
#Vancomycin Hydrochloride For Injection USP 1g. available in 20ml glass vial in a printed carton.
Pricing
What is the cost of #vancomycin?
Vancomycin is an expensive drug and not really affordable. For example, an vial of vancomycin is sold for #5,700 naira in pharmacy stores across Nigeria. A pharmacy friend of mine in the United States told me #vancomycin is sold for $20 per vial.
