Antimicrobials
Vancomycin IV

Vancomycin IV

Restricted

Low
N/A
$$$

General Information

  • Suspected or proven MRSA
  • Coagulase-negative Staphylococcal infections
  • Enterococcal infections
  • Target serum levels: 10 to 20 mg/L
  • Monitor serum creatinine and urine output throughout therapy
  • Red man syndrome (histamine release - slow down infusion)
  • Nephrotoxicity
  • Cytopenias
  • Aminoglycosides may potentiate nephrotoxicity
  • Use caution and increase monitoring of renal function when used with concomitant nephrotoxins

Antimicrobial class: Glycopeptide

Average serum half life:

  • Newborns: 6 to 10 hours
  • Infants and Children 3 months to 4 years: 4 hours
  • Children and Adolescents >3 years: 2.2 to 3 hours

Biliary Penetration: Low (5% biliary excretion)

Route of Elimination: Primarily via glomerular filtration; excreted as unchanged drug in the urine (80% to 90%)