Vancomycin revisited.

Abstract

Vancomycin, virtually discarded after development of antistaphylococcal penicillins, has recently been receiving renewed attention. There are several clinical situations in which it appears to offer advantages over other available antimicrobial agents: infections due to methicillin-resistant staphylococci; bacterial endocarditis in patients allergic to penicillin; staphylococcal enterocolitis; staphylococcal infection in patients undergoing hemodialysis; infections caused by penicillin-resistant diphtheroids; and prophylaxis of bacterial endocarditis in patients with prosthetic valves or penicillin allergy. Its penetration into the cerebrospinal fluid suggests that vancomycin may be useful in treating certain infections of the central nervous system. Although its ototoxic and nephrotoxic potential cannot be ignored, these problems can be minimized by keeping the serum concentration at the proper level.

• Authors: F V Cook, W E Farrar Jr
• Journal: Annals of internal medicine (Ann Intern Med) Vol. 88 Issue 6 Pg. 813-8 (Jun 1978) ISSN: 0003-4819 [Print] United States
• PMID: 352213 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Penicillins
• Vancomycin

Topics

• Bacteria (drug effects)
• Bacterial Infections (drug therapy)
• Central Nervous System Diseases (drug therapy)
• Diphtheria (drug therapy)
• Drug Hypersensitivity (etiology)
• Endocarditis, Bacterial (drug therapy, prevention & control)
• Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Penicillins (adverse effects)
• Renal Dialysis
• Staphylococcal Infections (drug therapy)
• Vancomycin (adverse effects, metabolism, pharmacology, therapeutic use)