Mechanism of action

Glycopeptides bind to terminal D-ala-D-ala chains on peptidoglycan in the cell wall, preventing further elongation of peptidoglycan chains.

Antimicrobial spectrum

It has a narrow-spectrum activity (only against gram-positive bacteria).

Therapeutic uses It is mainly used in:

  • Vancomycin is also the drug of choice in patients in whom pseudomembranous colitis (antibiotic associated colitis) has developed
  1. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections - MRSA

  2. Other infections due to susceptible organisms e.g. Streptococci, bacillus anthracis, corynebacterium diphtheria, clostridium tetani and difficile.

Adverse effects:

  1. The major adverse effect associated with vancomycin therapy is ototoxicity.

  2. “Red neck syndrome”: More commonly, the intravenous infusion of vancomycin can result in the occurrence of chills, fever, hypotension and a maculopapular skin rash often involving the head and upper thorax due to histamine release. Now it is called vancomycin Infusion-related reactions . This reaction can be prevented by slowing the infusion rate and is not a true allergy. Antihistamines can also ameliorate the reaction.

  3. Nephrotoxicity: