vancomycin

A type of glycopeptide antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections by blocking the construction of the cell wall.
It is used for people with serious allergy to penicillins.

(Examples of bacteria)
• methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA): Infections in the upper respiratory tract, on the skin, and in the gut mucosa. Meningitis. Taken intravenously.
• multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE): Resistance to penicillin and methicillin. Causes wound infections, boils, sinus infections, endocarditis, meningitis. Taken intravenously.
• Clostridium difficile: Causes pseudomembranous colitis, in particular, in cases of relapse or where the infection is unresponsive to metronidazole treatment. Taken by mouth.

(Side effects)
• Common side effects include pain in the area of injection and thrombophlebitis.
• Occasionally, nephrotoxicity.
• Rarely, anaphylaxis, toxic epidermal necrolysis, erythema multiforme, red man syndrome, superinfection, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, leukopenia, ototoxicity, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, etc.
• Safety in pregnancy is not clear, but no evidence of harm has been found, and it is likely safe for use when breastfeeding.