Vancomycin for Clostridioides difficile
Vancocin
Peer reviewed by Sid DajaniLast updated by Michael Stewart, MRPharmSLast updated 25 Apr 2022
Meets Patient’s editorial guidelines
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Take a dose four times a day. Space out the doses evenly throughout the day.
Keep taking the capsules until the course is finished (unless your doctor tells you to stop sooner).
Drink plenty of fluids if you have diarrhoea.
Help prevent the spread of infection to others by washing your hands regularly and thoroughly with soap and hot water.
In this article:
About vancomycin
Type of medicine | An antibiotic |
Used for | A bacterial infection called Clostridioides difficile |
Also called | Vancocin® |
Available as | Capsules and oral liquid medicine |
Vancomycin is used to a treat a bacterial infection in your bowel caused by Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile). Infection with C. difficile most commonly occurs in people who have recently had a course of antibiotics and are in hospital.
Some people have small numbers of C. difficile germs (bacteria) which live in their bowels, and they usually do no harm. This is because the number of C. difficile bacteria living in the gut of healthy people is kept in check by other harmless bacteria that also live in the gut. However, if the number of C. difficile bacteria increases, then it can cause problems. The most common reason why this occurs is due to taking antibiotics. As well as killing the bacteria that are causing an infection, antibiotics also kill many of the harmless bacteria that live in your gut. This allows the number of C. difficile bacteria to increase.
Symptoms of C. difficile infection can range from mild diarrhoea to a life-threatening inflammation of the bowel. No treatment may be needed in mild cases except drinking plenty of fluids. However, treatment with specific antibiotics like vancomycin is needed in more severe cases. Vancomycin works by stopping the growth of C. difficile bacteria.
Before taking vancomycin
Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine can only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking vancomycin it is important that your doctor knows:
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you have problems with your ears, such as any deafness.
If you have an inflammatory bowel disorder.
If you have any problems with the way your kidneys work.
If you are taking or using any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.
If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine.
Continue reading below
How to take vancomycin
Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about vancomycin, and will also provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you could experience from taking it.
Take the capsules exactly as your doctor tells you to. It is usual to take one (125 mg) capsule four times a day for 10-14 days. In serious infections, the dose could be as high as 500 mg four times a day for 10-14 days. Your doctor will tell you what dose is right for you, and this information will also be printed on the label of the pack of capsules to remind you about what the doctor said to you.
Try to space your doses out evenly throughout the day, so ideally, take a dose every six hours. Continue to take the capsules until the full course is finished - if you stop too soon, your infection may return and could be more difficult to treat.
You can take the capsules either with or without food.
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Try to take the correct number of doses each day but do not take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose.
Getting the most from your treatment
Drinking plenty of fluids is very important if you have diarrhoea. Your doctor will advise you about how much and what type of fluids you should drink.
Try to keep any scheduled appointments with your doctor. This is so your doctor can check on your progress. Your doctor may want to do some blood tests during the treatment.
You, and those caring for you, need to follow strict hygiene measures. This will help to prevent the spread of infection to others. You should regularly wash your hands thoroughly, especially after each time you have been to the toilet. Your doctor will advise you about any other measures needed.
If you are having an operation or any medical tests, tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are taking vancomycin.
This antibiotic can stop the oral typhoid vaccine from working. If you are having any vaccinations, make sure the person treating you knows that you are taking it.
If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are suitable to take with your other medicines.
Continue reading below
Can vancomycin cause problems?
Vancomycin capsules are generally not absorbed into your bloodstream and are therefore unlikely to cause any side-effects. You may be more at risk of the medicine getting into your bloodstream (and hence more at risk of side-effects) if you have an inflammatory bowel condition. Your doctor will monitor to see how much of the vancomycin gets into your bloodstream, and will tell you what the side-effects could be if this happens.
If you experience any symptoms which you think could be due to the capsules, please speak with your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
How to store vancomycin
Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.
If you have been given the oral liquid medicine it must be stored in the fridge and used within four days (96 hours).
Important information about all medicines
Important information about all medicines
Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else might have taken an overdose of this medicine, go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Take the container with you, even if it is empty.
This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
Do not keep out-of-date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.
Report side effects to a medicine or vaccine
If you experience side effects, you can report them online through the Yellow Card website.
Further reading and references
- Manufacturer's PIL, Vancocin® Matrigel 125 mg capsules; Flynn Pharma Ltd, The electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated November 2020.
- Medicines Complete BNF 87th Edition; British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London.
Article history
The information on this page is written and peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.
Next review due: 24 Apr 2025
25 Apr 2022 | Latest version
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