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Telavancin Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 15, 2023.

Applies to telavancin: intravenous powder for solution.

Warning

Intravenous route (Powder for Solution)

Patients with preexisting moderate/severe renal impairment (CrCl 50 mL/min or less) who were treated with telavancin for hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia/ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia had increased mortality observed versus vancomycin. Use of telavancin in patients with pre-existing moderate/severe renal impairment (CrCl 50 mL/min or less) should be considered only when the anticipated benefit to the patient outweighs the potential risk. Nephrotoxicity: New onset or worsening renal impairment has occurred. Monitor renal function in all patients. Embryofetal toxicity: Telavancin may cause fetal harm. In animal reproduction studies, adverse developmental outcomes were observed in 3 animal species at clinically relevant doses. Verify pregnancy status prior to initiating treatment and advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception.

Serious side effects of Telavancin

Along with its needed effects, telavancin 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 telavancin:

Less common

  • Blood in the urine
  • change in the frequency of urination or amount of urine
  • difficulty with breathing
  • drowsiness
  • increased thirst
  • loss of appetite
  • nausea or vomiting
  • swelling of the feet or lower legs
  • weakness

Incidence not known

  • Abdominal or stomach tenderness
  • chills or fever
  • cough
  • difficulty with swallowing
  • dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness, especially when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
  • fast heartbeat
  • hives or itching of the skin
  • nausea or vomiting
  • pain, redness, or soreness at the injection site
  • puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
  • rash or redness of the face, base of the neck, upper body, back, and arms
  • severe abdominal or stomach cramps and pain
  • tightness in the chest
  • unusual tiredness or weakness
  • watery and severe diarrhea, which may also be bloody

Other side effects of Telavancin

Some side effects of telavancin may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

  • Bad, unusual or unpleasant (after) taste
  • change in taste
  • diarrhea
  • foamy urine

Less common

  • Decreased appetite
  • dry, red, hot, or irritated skin
  • feeling unusually cold
  • shivering

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to telavancin: intravenous powder for injection.

Other

Very common (10% or more): All-cause mortality (up to 44%)

Common (1% to 10%): Fungal infection, fatigue, chills

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Septic shock, multi-organ failure, tinnitus, asthenia, malaise, non-cardiac chest pain, peripheral edema, pain, pyrexia, infusion site reactions including Red Man syndrome

Rare (less than 0.1%): Deafness[Ref]

Renal

Very common (10% or more): Increased serum creatinine to 1.5 times baseline (up to 16%), renal impairment/renal insufficiency/renal failure (up to 10%)

Common (1% to 10%): Acute renal failure, increased blood creatinine

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Increased blood urea[Ref]

Hematologic

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anemia, leukopenia, thrombocythemia, thrombocytopenia, increased eosinophil count, increased neutrophil count, increased INR

Cardiovascular

Common (1% to 10%): QTc prolongation

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Angina pectoris, atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, congestive cardiac failure, prolonged electrocardiogram QT corrected interval, palpitations, sinus tachycardia, supraventricular extrasystoles, ventricular extrasystoles, flushing, hypertension, hypotension, phlebitis[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Nausea (up to 27%), vomiting (up to 14%)

Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea, constipation

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Clostridium colitis, abdominal pain, dry mouth, dyspepsia, flatulence, oral hypoesthesia[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypersensitivity reactions

Postmarketing reports: Anaphylaxis[Ref]

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Metallic/soapy taste disturbance (up to 33%), dysgeusia (more than 10%)

Common (1% to 10%): Headache, dizziness

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Ageusia, migraine, paraesthesia, parosmia, somnolence, tremor[Ref]

Genitourinary

Very common (10% or more): Foamy urine (up to 13%)

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urinary tract infection, dysuria, hematuria, microalbuminuria, oliguria, pollakiuria, abnormal urine odor

Hepatic

Common (1% to 10%): Increased ALT, increased AST

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hepatitis

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Pruritus, rash

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Erythema, face edema, hyperhidrosis, urticaria[Ref]

Metabolic

Common (1% to 10%): Decreased appetite

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hyperglycemia, hyperkalemia, hypoglycemia, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Common (1% to 10%): Rigors

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Arthralgia, back pain, muscle cramp, myalgia

Ocular

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Eye irritation, blurred vision

Psychiatric

Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Agitation, anxiety, confusional state, depression

Respiratory

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dyspnea, hiccups, nasal congestion, pharyngolaryngeal pain

References

1. Product Information. Vibativ (telavancin). Theravance Inc. 2009.

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.

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