Vancocin HCl Pulvules Side Effects

Generic name: vancomycin

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 13, 2023.

Note: This document contains side effect information about vancomycin. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Vancocin HCl Pulvules.

Applies to vancomycin: intravenous powder for solution, intravenous solution. Other dosage forms:

• oral capsule, oral powder for solution, oral powder for suspension

Serious side effects

Along with its needed effects, vancomycin (the active ingredient contained in Vancocin HCl Pulvules) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking vancomycin:

Rare

• Black, tarry stools
• bleeding gums
• blood in the urine or stools
• continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
• cough or hoarseness
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• feeling of fullness in the ears
• fever with or without chills
• general feeling of tiredness or weakness
• hearing loss
• loss of balance
• lower back or side pain
• painful or difficult urination
• pale skin
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• ringing or buzzing in the ears
• sensation of spinning
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• trouble in hearing
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Incidence not known

• Abdominal or stomach cramps or tenderness
• back pain
• blistering, peeling, loosening of the skin
• bloating
• bluish color
• blurred vision
• change in frequency of urination or amount of urine
• changes in skin color
• chest pain
• chest tightness
• confusion
• cracks in the skin
• diarrhea, watery and severe, which may also be bloody
• difficulty with swallowing
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• drowsiness
• fast heartbeat
• flushing
• headache
• hives, itching, or skin rash
• increased thirst
• joint or muscle pain
• loss of appetite
• loss of heat from the body
• nausea or vomiting
• pain, tenderness, or swelling of the foot or leg
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• red, irritated eyes
• red, swollen skin
• redness, soreness, or itching skin
• scaly skin
• sores, welting, or blisters
• sweating
• swelling of the feet or lower legs
• swollen glands
• unusual weight loss

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to vancomycin: compounding powder, intravenous powder for injection, intravenous solution, oral capsule, oral powder for reconstitution, oral solution.

General

The most commonly reported side effects include nausea, abdominal pain, and hypokalemia.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Nausea (up to 17%), abdominal pain (up to 15%)

Common (1% to 10%): Vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Mild gastrointestinal tract disturbances

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Pseudomembranous enterocolitis/colitis

Frequency not reported: Chemical peritonitis, constipation, indigestion, stomachache^[Ref]

Chemical peritonitis occurred with intraperitoneal administration.

Mild gastrointestinal tract disturbances occurred with oral administration.^[Ref]

Metabolic

Very common (10% or more): Hypokalemia (up to 13%)^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Exanthema, pruritus, vancomycin (the active ingredient contained in Vancocin HCl Pulvules) infusion reaction, redness of the face/upper arms, urticaria

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Erythema, itch

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Toxic epidermal necrolysis

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Exfoliative dermatitis, linear IgA bullous dermatosis, Lyell's syndrome, Stevens-Johnson syndrome

Frequency not reported: Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), erythematous macular rash with intense pruritus over face/neck/upper body, rash, red neck^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Common (1% to 10%): Decrease in blood pressure, flushing of the upper body, peripheral edema, phlebitis

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Thrombophlebitis

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Vasculitis

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Cardiac arrest

Frequency not reported: Bradycardia, cardiogenic shock, generalized flushing, hypotension, palpitations, substernal pressure, tachycardia

Postmarketing reports: Chest pain^[Ref]

Hypotension, bradycardia, cardiogenic shock, and cardiac arrest have occurred with rapid bolus administration.^[Ref]

Renal

Common (1% to 10%): Increased serum creatinine, increased serum urea, nephrotoxicity, renal insufficiency

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Acute renal failure, interstitial nephritis

Frequency not reported: Acute kidney injury, Acute tubular necrosis, azotemia, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations increased, uremia, transient increased urea^[Ref]

Renal failure was most commonly characterized by increased serum creatinine levels or BUN concentrations.

Azotemia usually resolved upon discontinuation of treatment.^[Ref]

Other

Common (1% to 10%): Fatigue, mucosal inflammation, pyrexia

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Chills, fever, pain, permanent hearing loss, transient hearing loss

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Drug fever, ototoxicity, rigors, shivering, tinnitus^[Ref]

Respiratory

Common (1% to 10%): Dyspnea, stridor

Frequency not reported: Wheezing^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Common (1% to 10%): Back pain

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Back and chest muscle pain and spasm^[Ref]

Nervous system

Common (1% to 10%): Headache

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Dizziness, vertigo^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection

Frequency not reported: Granular urinary casts^[Ref]

Hematologic

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Eosinophilia,

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Agranulocytosis, leukopenia, pancytopenia, reversible agranulocytosis, reversible neutropenia, thrombocytopenia

Frequency not reported: Anemia^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Anaphylactic reactions, anaphylaxis, hypersensitivity reactions

Frequency not reported: Anaphylactoid reaction^[Ref]

Immunologic

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Superinfection

Frequency not reported: Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), non-susceptible organism overgrowth^[Ref]

Local

Frequency not reported: Injection site inflammation, injection site pruritus, necrosis, tissue irritation^[Ref]

Ocular

Frequency not reported: Hemorrhagic occlusive retinal vasculitis (HORV), permanent vision loss^[Ref]

HORV occurred in patients given this drug via intracameral or intravitreal route during/after cataract surgery.^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Frequency not reported: Depression, insomnia^[Ref]

Hepatic

Frequency not reported: Transaminase elevations^[Ref]

Frequently asked questions

• Can you drink alcohol while taking vancomycin?
• What is the difference between Firvanq and the CutisPharma FIRST-Vancomycin Compounding Kit?

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer