Vancocin HCl Side Effects

Generic name: vancomycin

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 30, 2023.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Vancocin HCl Side Effects associated with vancomycin. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Vancocin HCl.

Applies to vancomycin: oral capsule, oral powder for solution, oral powder for suspension.

Other dosage forms:

• intravenous powder for solution, intravenous solution

Precautions

It is important that your doctor check you and your child's progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly and that the colitis is cleared up completely. Blood, urine, and hearing tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

If you or your child's symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have blood in the urine, change in the frequency of urination or amount of urine, difficulty with breathing, nausea, vomiting, swelling of the feet or lower legs, or weakness during and after treatment with this medicine. These may be signs of a serious kidney problem.

Check with your doctor right away if you have sudden decrease in hearing or loss of hearing, which may be accompanied by dizziness and ringing in the ears. Tell your doctor if you or your child have dizziness or lightheadedness, feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings, or sensation of spinning. These may be symptoms of damage to your hearing or sense of balance.

This medicine may cause serious skin reactions, including toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), and linear IgA bullous dermatosis (LABD). Check with your doctor right away if you have black, tarry stools, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, chest pain, chills, cough, diarrhea, fever, itching, joint or muscle pain, painful or difficult urination, red irritated eyes, red skin lesions, often with a purple center, sore throat, sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips, swollen glands, trouble breathing, unusual bleeding or bruising, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

If you are taking this medicine for diarrhea caused by other antibiotics, do not take any other diarrhea medicine without first checking with your doctor. Other medicines for diarrhea may make your diarrhea worse or make it last longer.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of Vancocin HCl

Along with its needed effects, vancomycin (the active ingredient contained in Vancocin HCl) 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 immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking vancomycin:

Other side effects of Vancocin HCl

Some side effects of vancomycin 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:

For healthcare professionals

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

General adverse events

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) 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]

See also:

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

Vancocin HCl side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer