Vancomycin
my father is taking vancomycin by IV injection at home. He was taking the same antibiotic while in the hospital. He has taken 3 doses here at home is now complaining about feeling gassy. He does not have diarrhea just has a lot of gas. Says his stomach "doesn't feel quite right". Any suggestion for help? Do you think he is getting too much antibiotic too quickly? Should he be lying down as opposed to sitting up in a chair?? Please help!!
Answer:Vancomycin is a strong antibiotic that works on the bad bacteria that are causing the infection as well as the good bacteria that are normally in our gut. If enough of the good bacteria is eliminated the patients can have problems with some bad bacteria infection in the gut (clostridium difficile) and fungus infections.
Patients who develope GI symptoms like your dad should have his stool cultured for the bad bacteria. If that test is negative I would consider adding yogurt to his diet to help restore some of the good bacteria.
I'm guessing that his stomach is just upset there are over the counter meds for this (gas) read for interactions but they should be ok.If there is swelling at the IV site then worry about getting infused too much but he is probably on pump and they are reliable when set up right. Call the dr office if the condition persists. It probably doesn't matter sitting or laying down which ever is comfortable.
Vancomycin is a very toxi antibiotic only use for series infection which not respone to other antibiotic such as MRSA infection.It has nephrotoxi (toxi to kidney) and ototoxi( toxi to hearing),only use as iv drug and should . give very slowly(at least 60 minutes) otherwise well developed"red man symdroms".His upset stomach is not one of the side effect of this drug may due to his original infection.If condition gets worse should inform his treating physician.