Telavancin (By injection)
tel-a-VAN-sin
Treats infections.
Drug classes
Antibiotic (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Telavancin injection is used alone or together with other medicines to treat serious bacterial skin infections, and hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (HABP/VABP).
Telavancin belongs to the group of medicines known as antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.
This medicine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Injectable
Your doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein. This medicine needs to be given slowly, so the needle will stay in place for about an hour.
A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
You should not receive this medicine if you are also receiving heparin injections.
Some medicines can affect how telavancin works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
Blood pressure medicines Diuretics (water pills) NSAID pain or arthritis medicine (such as aspirin, celecoxib, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen)When Not To Use
This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to telavancin.
Warnings
It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, heart failure, diabetes, high blood pressure, or a history of heart rhythm problems. Tell your doctor if you had an allergic reaction to vancomycin.
This medicine may cause the following problems:
Kidney problems Infusion reactions Heart rhythm problemsThis medicine can cause diarrhea. Call your doctor if the diarrhea becomes severe, does not stop, or is bloody. Do not take any medicine to stop diarrhea until you have talked to your doctor. Diarrhea can occur 2 months or more after you stop taking this medicine.
Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Change in how much or how often you urinate, red or dark brown urine
Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat, fainting, dizziness
Rash or flushing of the face, neck, upper body, back, and arms
Severe diarrhea that may contain blood, stomach cramps
Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Bad or unpleasant taste in your mouth
Foamy urine
Mild diarrhea, nausea, vomiting
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Vibativ
There may be other brand names for this medicine.