Drug-labels.com

Vancomycin Injection USP in 5% Dextrose: Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

Updated:
Facts
Status:
Prescription (Rx)
Strength:
1000 mg
Active ingredient:
ATC code:
Similar drugs:

Source: Health Canada – Drug Product Database (DPD) and product monographs · About this document

Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Vancomycin Injection USP in 5% Dextrose

What is Vancomycin Injection, USP 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 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 Injection, USP should be used exactly as directed. Misuse or overuse of Vancomycin Injection, USP could lead to the growth of bacteria that will not be killed by Vancomycin Injection, USP (resistance). This means that Vancomycin Injection USP may not work for you in the future. Do not share your medicine.

How does Vancomycin Injection, USP work?

Vancomycin hydrochloride is in a family of medications called glycopeptide antibiotics. It works by preventing the growth of certain types of bacteria.

What are the ingredients in Vancomycin Injection, USP?

Medical ingredients: vancomycin hydrochloride

Non-medical ingredients:

  • Vancomycin Injection USP in 5% Dextrose: Dextrose Hydrous, USP, Sodium hydroxide (for pH adjustment), Hydrochloric acid (for pH adjustment), Water for injections
  • Vancomycin Injection USP in 0.9% Sodium Chloride: Sodium Chloride, USP, Sodium hydroxide (for pH adjustment), Hydrochloric acid (for pH adjustment), Water for injections

Vancomycin Injection, USP comes in the following dosage forms:

Vancomycin Injection, USP comes as a frozen premixed solution (liquid) in a 200 mL single dose GALAXY plastic container. Each 200-mL bag contains 1 g of vancomycin (as vancomycin hydrochloride).

Do not use Vancomycin Injection, USP if:

  • You are allergic to vancomycin hydrochloride.

To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take Vancomycin 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 breast feeding

Other warnings you should know about Vancomycin Injection, USP: While you are using Vancomycin Injection, USP

  • Elderly: Vancomycin 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, kidneys 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.

The following may interact with Vancomycin Injection, USP:

  • Other medications in the antibiotics family such as:

    • aminoglycoside antibiotics such as amikacin, gentamicin, kanamycin, paromomycin, 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 a new medicine. It is important that your healthcare professional reviews all medications and supplements you are taking before prescribing Vancomycin Injection, USP.

How to take Vancomycin Injection, USP:

  • Vancomycin 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.

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 Injection, USP (amount of medicine to take, number of doses to take each day, the time allowed between doses, and how long you need 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.

What are possible side effects from using Vancomycin Injection, USP?

These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when taking Vancomycin 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.

If you think you have taken too much Vancomycin Injection, USP, contact your healthcare professional, hospital emergency department or regional Poison Control Centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.

Serious side effects and what to do about them

Symptom / effectTalk to your healthcare professionalStop taking drug and get immediate medical help
Only if severeIn all cases
Unknown frequency

Reactions that may occur during your infusion or soon after your infusion is completed:

  • Chills,
  • itching or skin irritation,
  • flushing of the skin over the neck and shoulder ("red neck")
✓

Serious life-threatening skin reactions

(Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, Drug Reaction/Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS)):

  • unexplained widespread skin pain
  • flu-like symptoms (fever, sore mouth and throat, cough, fatigue, burning eyes etc.)
  • followed by a painful red or purplish rash that spreads and blisters on mouth, nose, eyes and genital
  • shedding of your skin within days after blisters form
  • swelling of the face or swollen glands in the neck, armpits or groin
  • yellowing of your skin or eye
  • dark urine, light-colored bowel movements;
  • severe nausea or vomiting; stomach pain
✓
Rare

Allergic reactions:

  • severe rash, hives, itching
  • swelling of face, lips, mouth, throat or tongue
  • wheezing/tightness in the chest or throat
  • difficulty breathing or talking
✓

Kidney problems:

  • unable to pass urine
  • change in the amount of urine you pass
  • Pain in urinating, blood in the urine
  • Tiredness, nausea, vomiting
  • Swollen hands and feet
✓

Hearing problems:

  • dizziness, problems with balance
  • vertigo (spinning sensation)
  • ringing in the ears (is a potential warning sign of hearing loss)
  • change in hearing
  • temporary or permanent hearing loss
✓

Blood problems (neutropenia, agranulocytosis) (usually found when your doctor orders tests)

  • more likely to develop infections, sore throat, fever, chills, and other signs of infection
✓

Bowel infection (Clostridium difficile colitis):

May happen 2 or more months after your treatment

  • diarrhea that does not go away (bloody or watery) with or without:

    o fever

    o stomach cramps

✓

Vasculitis (inflammation of your blood vessels):

  • fever
  • headache
  • fatigue
  • weight loss
  • general aches and pains
  • night sweats
  • rash
  • nerve problems, such as numbness or weakness
✓

If you have troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare professional.

Storage

  • Store Vancomycin Injection, USP at or below -20°C.
  • The thawed solution in GALAXY plastic container (PL 2040) remains chemically stable for 72 hours at room temperature (25°C) or for 30 days when stored under refrigeration (5°C).

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.

  • Most of the time, Vancomycin Injection, USP will be given in a hospital.
  • Keep out of reach and sight of children.

If you want more information about Vancomycin Injection, USP:

  • This document plus the full product monograph, prepared for health professionals can be obtained by contacting the sponsor, Baxter Corporation, at:

    Baxter Corporation

    Mississauga, CANADA L5N 0C2

    1-888-719-9955

Baxter and Galaxy are trademarks of Baxter International Inc.

Date of Preparation: April 3, 2019

About this document

Source: Health Canada – Drug Product Database (DPD) and product monographs · DIN (Drug Identification Number): 02487063

Revision date stated in the text: April 3, 2019

Found a mistake? Write to us via the contact page.

The information on this site does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.

Drug information for Vancomycin Injection USP in 5% Dextrose

Rx or OTC
Prescription (Rx)?
DIN 02487063, 02487071
Schedule(s) PRESCRIPTION
Active ingredient(s) Vancomycin (vancomycin hydrochloride) 1000 MG
Dosage form(s) Solution
Route(s) of administration Intravenous
Drug class (WHO ATC)
  1. J Antiinfectives for systemic use
    1. J01 Antibacterials for systemic use
      1. J01X Other antibacterials
        1. J01XA Glycopeptide antibacterials
          1. J01XA01 Vancomycin
Company BAXTER CORPORATION
Strengths and forms
DIN Strength Dosage form(s) Current status
02487063 1000 MG Solution Approved April 5, 2019
02487071 1000 MG Solution Marketed January 11, 2021

Source: Health Canada – Drug Product Database (DPD) and product monographs, data as of November 1, 2026. Data from the Health Canada Drug Product Database, as published there. Not a substitute for the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.