Vancomycin and Itching: What Users Say

• Wax...
• October 5, 2011

For Surgical Prophylaxis "I was about to go into the operating room for knee replacement, and they started Vancomycin via IV. Shortly, I started itching, burning, and my skin turned red... especially the scalp, neck, and palms of my hands. Surgery was postponed. This experience was a blessing since I found out the knee replacement contained nickel and I'm VERY allergic to nickel. At least it prevented a disaster!"

• Anonymous
• July 12, 2012

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "I have received IV vancomycin previously without any adverse reactions, however, this past week I received a dose of it (IV again) and began severely itching and had facial swelling. I was in the ER, and now I don't know if I am allergic to it or just sensitive to it, or if it reacted to one of the medications I already take."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 21, 2017

For Clostridioides difficile Infection "Nausea, tiredness, bladder infection, ringing in my ears, muscle pain, constipation, numbness in the fingers, cramps in the stomach, itching. Medicine should heal you, not cause so many side effects!"