What it means
A glycopeptide antibiotic used by IV for serious infections caused by gram-positive bacteria, including MRSAMUR-suh, or said as lettersMethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a staph bacterium that many common antibiotics cannot kill.Full entry . Taken by mouth, it stays in the gut, so it is used only for C. difficilesee dif-uh-SEELClostridioides difficile, a spore-forming bacterium that can infect the colon (the large intestine).Full entry infection. Given too fast by IV, it can cause flushing, a red rash on the face, neck and upper body, itching and low blood pressure (vancomycin infusion reaction). It can also harm the kidneys and hearing.
For the nurse
Infuse IV doses over at least 60 minutes. Follow blood levels as ordered, check kidney function and urine output, and ask about ringing in the ears. Watch the IV site, since the drug irritates veins.
At a glance
| Drug class | glycopeptide antibiotic |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Vancocin, Firvanq |
| Spanish | vancomicina |
| Also written | Vancocin, Firvanq |
Related terms
C. difficile
Clostridioides difficile, a spore-forming bacterium that can infect the colon (the large intestine).
MRSA
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a staph bacterium that many common antibiotics cannot kill.
antibiotic
A drug that kills bacteria or stops them from growing.