Vancomycin Injection 500 mg (Vancomycin Hydrochloride)

Adult dosage

Adults: Administer 500 mg (potency) per dose intravenously every 6 hours, or 1 g (potency) per dose every 12 hours. For oral administration, it is generally given 500–2000 mg per day in divided doses 3–4 times for 7–10 days. The total daily dose should not exceed 2 g.

Children's dosage

Pediatric: Administer 10 mg (potency) per Kg body weight as an intravenous injection every 6 hours. Infants: Administer 10–15 mg (potency) per Kg body weight as an intravenous injection every 12 hours. Infants and newborns: Administer 15 mg per Kg as an initial dose.

This drug should not be used in patients who have previously experienced severe allergic reactions or shock from this medication. Patients with allergies to this drug or antibiotics in the same class should also not receive it. It should be used cautiously in patients with hearing loss or previous hearing problems due to similar drugs, and especially in patients with impaired kidney function as this drug can remain in the body for a long time, increasing the risk of side effects; consequently, serum levels should be frequently monitored and adjusted. Patients with poor liver function also need to be cautious as liver status may worsen with this drug. Elderly patients and premature or newborn infants may have reduced kidney function, so careful monitoring and adjustment are necessary during administration. This drug can affect the central nervous system, potentially leading to dizziness, tinnitus, or hearing decline; therefore, regular hearing checks are advisable. During treatment, various side effects may occur, such as mental disturbances, gastrointestinal symptoms, changes in blood cell counts, and skin rashes, so any abnormalities should be reported to medical personnel immediately. In particular, if severe skin reactions or respiratory distress occur, administration should be stopped immediately and appropriate treatment sought. Rapid infusion of this drug can lead to side effects like hypotension or skin rash, so slow infusion is safer. There is a risk of antibiotic resistance with prolonged use of antibiotics; therefore, it is important to check the susceptibility of the infecting bacteria and use it only for the necessary duration. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should use this drug cautiously only when absolutely necessary, as its safety has not been fully established; it is advisable to cease breastfeeding if receiving this medication. When used with other medications that may affect the kidneys or nerves, the risk of side effects may increase, so interactions should be closely managed in consultation with healthcare providers. Overdosage can lead to kidney damage or hearing loss, so the prescribed dose must be strictly adhered to, and if overdose is suspected, emergency treatment should be sought immediately. This drug should not be administered as an intramuscular injection but must be given intravenously, and the infusion solution should be properly diluted while frequently changing the injection site to reduce the risk of phlebitis. Long-term use of this drug may lead to the occurrence of other infections due to changes in flora, so any unusual symptoms should be reported to healthcare personnel immediately. Regular blood tests and assessments of liver and kidney function are advisable for safety.

Serious side effects

Shock, anaphylactic symptoms, hives, severe swelling (edema), chest tightness, difficulty breathing, cold sweat, pallor, severe allergic reactions, severe skin reactions (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, exfoliative dermatitis, vesicular dermatitis), dyspnea, hypotension, wheezing, respiratory issues, yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice), liver dysfunction, acute kidney failure, interstitial nephritis, sudden and severe headache.

Mild side effects

• Loose stools
• diarrhea
• nausea
• vomiting
• abdominal pain
• decreased red blood cells
• decreased white blood cells
• decreased platelets
• increased eosinophils
• dizziness

This drug should be stored in a sealed container to prevent air or moisture exposure, and it is best kept at room temperature between 1°C and 30°C. Storage in this manner helps maintain the drug's efficacy for a longer period.

Appearance

A colorless, transparent vial filled with white to light yellow-brown freeze-dried powder for injection.

Package unit

10 vials/box [500 mg potency/vial]