Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Lyphocin, Vancocin HCl, Vancocin HCl Pulvules

Generic Name: vancomycin (Pronunciation: VAN koe MYE sin)

• What is vancomycin (Lyphocin, Vancocin HCl, Vancocin HCl Pulvules)?
• What are the possible side effects of vancomycin (Lyphocin, Vancocin HCl, Vancocin HCl Pulvules)?
• What is the most important information I should know about vancomycin (Lyphocin, Vancocin HCl, Vancocin HCl Pulvules)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using vancomycin (Lyphocin, Vancocin HCl, Vancocin HCl Pulvules)?
• How should I take vancomycin (Lyphocin, Vancocin HCl, Vancocin HCl Pulvules)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Lyphocin, Vancocin HCl, Vancocin HCl Pulvules)?
• What happens if I overdose (Lyphocin, Vancocin HCl, Vancocin HCl Pulvules)?
• What should I avoid while using vancomycin (Lyphocin, Vancocin HCl, Vancocin HCl Pulvules)?
• What other drugs will affect vancomycin (Lyphocin, Vancocin HCl, Vancocin HCl Pulvules)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is vancomycin (Lyphocin, Vancocin HCl, Vancocin HCl Pulvules)?

Vancomycin is an antibiotic. It fights bacteria in the body.

Vancomycin is used to treat infections of the intestines that cause colitis (inflammation of the large intestine).

Vancomycin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of vancomycin (Lyphocin, Vancocin HCl, Vancocin HCl Pulvules)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using vancomycin and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• hearing loss, ringing in your ears;
• urinating less than usual or not at all;
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
• feeling light-headed, fainting;
• skin rash, redness, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness; or
• severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody.

Less serious side effects may include:

• dizziness;
• nausea;
• back pain; or
• muscle pain or tightness.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about vancomycin (Lyphocin, Vancocin HCl, Vancocin HCl Pulvules)?

Before using vancomycin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have kidney disease, problems with your hearing, or an intestinal disorder such as inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis.

Vancomycin can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss. Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any hearing problems or ringing in your ears.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your hearing will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Vancomycin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.