Clinical Significance

Vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic. It is primarily used in the treatment of infections due to Beta-lactam or methronidazole-resistant gram positive cocci and bacilli. It may also be used prophylactically in some patients who are at risk for endocarditis or when methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or Staphylococcus epidermidis is a risk. Since individual patients exhibit a high degree of variability in absorption and metabolism of vancomycin, therapeutic monitoring is recommended in certain patients. The major toxic reactions include "red-man syndrome", nephrotoxicity, and ototoxicity when very high levels of drug are present in the circulation.

_{Source: Beckman Coulter Unicel, VANC IFU. REF #474824 5/11/15}