The Navigation Model of Therapy: Why Awareness Changes Everything
November 16, 2025
Brand Name :
Firvanq, Vancocin
Synonyms :
vancomycin
Class :
Glycopeptides
Dosage Forms & Strengths   Â
Powder for oral solution    Â
3.75g   Â
7.5g   Â
10.5g   Â
15g   Â
Capsule   Â
125mg   Â
250mg   Â
Lyophilized powder   Â
500mg   Â
750mg   Â
1g   Â
5g   Â
10g   Â
Injection   Â
500mg/100mL   Â
750mg/150mL    Â
1g/200mL   Â
1.25g/250mL Â
Clostridium Difficile Infection (CDI)Â
125
mg
Orally 
4 times a day
10
days
2
g
divided 4 times
Do not exceed initial dose <15 mg/kg
Dosage Forms & Strengths   Â
Powder for oral solution    Â
3.75g   Â
7.5g   Â
10.5g   Â
15g   Â
Capsule   Â
125mg   Â
250mg   Â
Lyophilized powder   Â
500mg   Â
750mg   Â
1g   Â
5g   Â
10g   Â
Injection   Â
500mg/100mL   Â
750mg/150mL    Â
1g/200mL   Â
1.25g/250mL  Â
Patients 65 years of age or older may react to therapy more slowly than those who are monitored during and after treatment for possible vancomycin-induced nephrotoxicity.Â
may have an increased nephrotoxic effect when combined with colistimethate
may increase the level by affecting the hepatic enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism
may increase the level by affecting the hepatic enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism
may increase the level by affecting the hepatic enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism
may increase the level by affecting the hepatic enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism
it increases the effect of neuromuscular blockage of neuromuscular-blocking agents
it increases the effect of neuromuscular blockage of neuromuscular-blocking agents
it increases the effect of neuromuscular blockage of neuromuscular-blocking agents
it increases the effect of neuromuscular blockage of neuromuscular-blocking agents
it increases the effect of neuromuscular blockage of neuromuscular-blocking agents
vancomycin may enhance the effect of neuromuscular-blocking agents
may increase the levels of serum concentration of vancomycin
may increase the levels of serum concentration of vancomycin
may increase the levels of serum concentration of vancomycin
may increase the levels of serum concentration of vancomycin
may increase the levels of serum concentration of vancomycin
may have an increased neuromuscular-blocking effect when combined with neuromuscular-blocking agents
may have an increased neuromuscular-blocking effect when combined with neuromuscular-blocking agents
may have an increased neuromuscular-blocking effect when combined with neuromuscular-blocking agents
may have an increased neuromuscular-blocking effect when combined with neuromuscular-blocking agents
may have an increased neuromuscular-blocking effect when combined with neuromuscular-blocking agents
It may enhance the risk of adverse effects when combined with Glycopeptides
It may enhance the risk of adverse effects when combined with Glycopeptides
lonazolac may reduce the elimination rate of vancomycin, resulting in a greater serum level
the risk or severity of nephrotoxicity and hypocalcemia can increase when vancomycin is combined with alendronic acid
vancomycin: it may enhance the toxic effect of Anti-Inflammatory Agents
vancomycin: it may enhance the toxic effect of Anti-Inflammatory Agents
aspirin, chlorpheniramine, and phenylephrine
vancomycin: it may enhance the toxic effect of Anti-Inflammatory Agents
vancomycin: it may enhance the toxic effect of Anti-Inflammatory Agents
vancomycin: it may enhance the toxic effect of Anti-Inflammatory Agents
piperacillin increases the toxic effects of vancomycin. The cause of the reaction is unknown.
both the drugs may enhance the risk of nephrotoxicity
acetaminophen/dextromethorphan/pseudoephedrine/guaifenesin
It may enhance the risk of adverse effects when combined with Decongestant
brompheniramine, dextromethorphan and phenylephrine
It may enhance the risk of adverse effects when combined with Decongestant
It may enhance the risk of adverse effects when combined with Decongestant
It may enhance the risk of adverse effects when combined with Glycopeptides
acetaminophen IV/ibuprofen IV (Pending FDA Approval)
It may enhance the risk of adverse effects when combined with Glycopeptides
It may enhance the risk of adverse effects when combined with Glycopeptides
It may enhance the risk of adverse effects when combined with Glycopeptides
It may enhance the risk of adverse effects when combined with Glycopeptides
It may enhance the risk of adverse effects when combined with Glycopeptides
It may enhance the risk of adverse effects when combined with Glycopeptides
the excretory rate of vancomycin may be reduced, leading to high serum levels of vancomycin when combined with bumadizone
Adverse drug reactions  Â
Frequency Defined Â
10%    Â
Abdominal pain (15%)   Â
Nausea (17%)   Â
Hypokalemia (13%)   Â
1-10%   Â
Nephrotoxicity (5%)   Â
Peripheral edema (6%)   Â
Back pain (6%)  Â
Vomiting (9%)   Â
Diarrhea (9%)   Â
Urinary tract infection (8%)   Â
Pyrexia (9%)   Â
Fatigue (5%)   Â
Flatulence (8%)  Â
BlackBox WarningÂ
Flexible PEG 400/NADA single dose bags should not be used during pregnancy because the administration of PEG cause fetal malformations in rats and rabbits. If vancomycin is needed during pregnancy, then it is advised to use other forms of this medication.Â
Pregnancy/Lactation  Â
Pregnancy warnings:     Â
Pregnancy: US FDA pregnancy category: Not Assigned Â
Lactation: Excreted into human milk is known Â
Pregnancy Categories:        Â
PharmacologyÂ
Vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic which is active against the gram-positive bacteria. It works but does not allow the formation of bacterial cell wall due to strong affinity with the D-alanyl-D-alanine group of cell wall precursors to prevent glycopeptide polymerization. This action inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis thus causing cell wall damage and death. It is active against several gram-positive bacteria and has activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Enterococcus species. It is given intravenously since it has poor oral bioavailability and it is found in body tissues such as bone and in pleural fluid.Â
PharmacodynamicsÂ
Vancomycin is bactericidal against most gram-positive aerobic organisms and anaerobes by inhibiting cell wall biosynthesis. This action is particularly effective against organisms such as Staphylococcus aureus including methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Enterococci.Â
PharmacokineticsÂ
AbsorptionÂ
Orally, it is minimally absorbed and requires frequent intravenous administration. The fecal concentration of vancomycin was higher than 100 mcg/g in all the samples after taking the 250 mg capsules orally at a frequency of every 8 hours for 7 doses.Â
DistributionÂ
It is present in most body compartments and body fluids except in cerebrospinal fluid and the gray matter of the brain. Normally CSF concentration is low but in inflamed meninges, CSF can rise upto 20-30% of the blood level.
About half of the volume of vancomycin is bound to protein in the plasma.Â
Metabolism
There appears to be no metabolic process that is going through this product.
Elimination/Excretion
Half-life: Normally 4 to 6 hours in patients with normal renal function; however, it is cleared at a significantly slower rate for about 7 hours. It is given 5 days in patients without kidney function (anephric patients).Â
AdministrationÂ
It is administered orally or intravenouslyÂ
Patient Information Leaflet  Â
Generic Name: vancomycin Â
 Why do we use vancomycin?  Â
Vancomycin belongs to the class of antibiotics which helps in treating bacterial infections. It mainly acts by inhibiting the growth or killing the germs. Â