1. Why isn’t vancomycin more widely used?
The medical community tries to be conservative in its use of vancomycin, reserving it for patients with few other treatment options to stave off the emergence of vancomycin-resistant microorganisms. In recent years, some resistant and intermediate (decreased sensitivity) strains of Staphylococcus aureus (called VISA and VRSA for Vancomycin Intermediate/Resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and strains of Enterococcus have emerged.
2. Will I be tested if I am taking oral vancomycin?
Oral vancomycin therapy is rarely monitored as only tiny amounts of the drug are absorbed and carried in the blood. Occasionally, a patient with impaired renal function will be monitored to verify that the drug is not building up in the body.
3. Can I test vancomycin levels at home?
Although a patient may receive intravenous vancomycin therapy at home, usually administered by a home health professional, blood levels cannot be monitored at home. The test requires specialized equipment and must be performed in the laboratory. The home health professional may draw a blood sample prior to administering the next dose of drug. This sample will be sent to a laboratory for analysis.
4. Should all antibiotic therapy be monitored like vancomycin?
No, not all antibiotics require monitoring. Unlike vancomycin, most antibiotics have a larger therapeutic range in which they are effective but will not cause side effects. Because of this, they can be prescribed based upon pre-established dosing schedules.
