Details for: VANCOMYCIN HYDROCHLORIDE FOR INJECTION USP
Company: STERIMAX INC
DIN | DIN name | Active Ingredient(s) | Strength | Dosage Form | Route of Administration |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
02342863 | VANCOMYCIN HYDROCHLORIDE FOR INJECTION USP | VANCOMYCIN (VANCOMYCIN HYDROCHLORIDE) | 1 G / VIAL | POWDER FOR SOLUTION | INTRAVENOUS |
02405822 | VANCOMYCIN HYDROCHLORIDE FOR INJECTION USP | VANCOMYCIN (VANCOMYCIN HYDROCHLORIDE) | 5 G / VIAL | POWDER FOR SOLUTION | INTRAVENOUS |
02405830 | VANCOMYCIN HYDROCHLORIDE FOR INJECTION USP | VANCOMYCIN (VANCOMYCIN HYDROCHLORIDE) | 10 G / VIAL | POWDER FOR SOLUTION | INTRAVENOUS |
02342855 | VANCOMYCIN HYDROCHLORIDE FOR INJECTION USP | VANCOMYCIN (VANCOMYCIN HYDROCHLORIDE) | 500 MG / VIAL | POWDER FOR SOLUTION | INTRAVENOUS |
Consumer Information
This information was provided by the drug’s manufacturer when this drug product was approved for sale in Canada. It is designed for consumers and care givers. It is a summary of information about the drug and will not tell you everything about the drug. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about the drug.
What the medication is used for
Vancomycin is used to treat bacterial infections in many different parts of the body such as:
- Heart
- Bone
- Lung
- Blood
- Skin and muscle
Vancomycin is typically used for serious infections for which other medicines may not work.
Antibacterial drugs like Vancomycin Hydrochloride for Injection USP treat only bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections such as the common cold. Although you may feel better early in treatment, Vancomycin Hydrochloride for Injection USP should be used exactly as directed. Misuse or overuse of Vancomycin Hydrochloride for Injection USP could lead to the growth of bacteria that will not be killed by Vancomycin Hydrochloride for Injection USP (resistance). This means that Vancomycin Hydrochloride for Injection USP may not work for you in the future. Do not share your medicine.
What it does
Vancomycin hydrochloride is in a family of medications called glycopeptide antibiotics. It works by preventing the growth of certain types of bacteria.
When it should not be used
- You are allergic to vancomycin hydrochloride.
What the medicinal ingredient is
Vancomycin hydrochloride
What the non-medicinal ingredients are
Sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid
What dosage form it comes in
Vancomycin Hydrochloride for Injection USP comes as a sterile powder. It is supplied in a vials. Each vial may contain:
- 500 mg of vancomycin (as vancomycin hydrochloride)
- 1 g of vancomycin (as vancomycin hydrochloride)
- 5 g of vancomycin (as vancomycin hydrochloride)
- 10 g of vancomycin (as vancomycin hydrochloride)
Warnings and precautions
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take Vancomycin Hydrochloride for Injection USP. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- Have kidney problems
- Have hearing problems
- Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
- Are breastfeeding
Other warnings you should know about Vancomycin Hydrochloride for Injection USP:
While you are using Vancomycin Hydrochloride for Injection USP
- Elderly: Vancomycin Hydrochloride for Injection USP may cause damage to your hearing and kidneys (see the “Serious side effects and what to do about them” table below). These side effects may be more likely to occur in elderly patients. During your treatment your healthcare professional may require that you do blood, kidney and hearing tests.
- If you are going to have surgery, including dental surgery, tell your healthcare professional that you are receiving vancomycin. Vancomycin may affect other medicines used during surgery.
- If you develop severe diarrhea (very loose or watery stool), tell your healthcare professional right away. Diarrhea may mean that you have a serious condition affecting your bowel (colitis). You may need urgent medical care. Do not try to treat loose stools without first checking with your healthcare professional (see the “Serious side effects and what to do about them” table below).
- Stop taking vancomycin at the first sign of a skin rash and call your healthcare professional. Skin rash may be a sign of a more serious reaction to vancomycin (see the “Serious side effects and what to do about them” table below).
- Driving and using machines: This medicine may cause dizziness in some people. If this occurs, do not drive, use machines or do anything else that could be dangerous.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
Interactions with this medication
- Other medications in the antibiotics family such as:
- aminoglycoside antibiotics such as amikacin, gentamicin, kanamycin, paramomycin, tobramycin etc.
- cephaloridine (not marketed in Canada)
- polymixin B
- colistin
- viomycin (not marketed in Canada)
- Cisplatin, a medicine used to treat cancer
- Medications given during surgery to relax the muscles (neuromuscular blocking agents)
Always keep a list of your medicines and show it to your healthcare professional when you get new medicine. It is important that your healthcare professional reviews all medications and supplements you are taking before prescribing Vancomycin Hydrochloride for Injection USP.
Proper use of this medication
- Vancomycin Hydrochloride for Injection USP is usually injected slowly into the vein over a period of at least 60 minutes. You may receive it at the hospital, or clinic.
- Under certain circumstances, Vancomycin Hydrochloride for Injection USP may also be given orally to treat colitis (inflammation of the intestine caused by certain bacteria) that may occur after antibiotic treatment.
Usual Dose
- Your healthcare professional will work out the right amount (dose) of medicine for you. The dose will depend on:
- the medical problem for which you are using vancomycin
- your weight, age
- how well your kidneys are working and other factors.
- Your healthcare professional will explain to you the dosing instructions for Vancomycin Hydrochloride for Injection USP (amount of medicine to take each day, the time allowed between doses, and how long you need to take this medicine).
- Ask your healthcare professional if you have any questions about the dosing instructions.
Overdose
Your healthcare professional is trained to recognize the symptoms of an overdosage, and deal with its symptoms.
Missed Dose
If you have missed a dose of medication, call your healthcare professional to find out what to do.
Side effects and what to do about them
These are not all the possible side effects you may feel while taking Vancomycin Hydrochloride for Injection USP. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional.
See also the “To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use…” section.
Check with your healthcare professional if any of these side effects persist or become troublesome:
- Headache.
- Shortness of breath.
- Sick to stomach.
- Rash.
- Tiredness.
- Vomiting.
- Fever.
- Diarrhea.
Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional Only if severe | Talk to your healthcare professional In all cases | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help |
---|---|---|---|
Unknown frequency | |||
Reactions that may occur during your infusion or
soon after your infusion is completed:
|
✔ | ||
Serious life-threatening skin reactions (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, Drug Reaction/Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS)):
|
✔ | ||
Rare | |||
Allergic reactions:
|
✔ | ||
Kidney problems:
|
✔ | ||
Hearing problems:
|
✔ | ||
Blood problems (neutropenia, agranulocytosis)
(usually found when your doctor orders tests)
|
✔ | ||
Bowel infection (Clostridium difficile colitis):
May happen 2 or more months after your treatment
|
✔ | ||
Vasculitis (inflammation of your blood vessels):
|
✔ |
If you have troublesome symptoms or side effects that are not listed here or become bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare professional.
How to store
- Store Vancomycin Hydrochloride for Injection USP powder between 15ºC and 25ºC.
- Reconstituted solutions and further diluted infusion mixtures should be used within 24 hours if kept at room temperature or within 72 hours if stored under refrigeration (5°C).
- Most of the time, Vancomycin Hydrochloride for Injection USP will be given in the hospital.
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
Reporting side effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
- Visiting the Web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/medeffect-canada/adverse-reaction-reporting.html) for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax; or
- Calling toll-free at 1-866-234-2345.
NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.
More information
- Talk to your healthcare professional
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html); the manufacturer’s website www.sterimaxinc.com, or by calling 1-800-881-3550.
This leaflet was prepared by:
SteriMax Inc.
Oakville, Ontario
L6H 6R4
Last revised: November 5, 2018