Vancomycin | Medication Reference

Bedside Snapshot

Glycopeptide antibiotic with bactericidal activity against most Gram-positive organisms, including MRSA, MRSE, penicillin-resistant pneumococci, and susceptible Enterococcus species (not VRE)
In ED/ICU, vancomycin is used mainly for suspected or confirmed serious MRSA infections: sepsis/bacteremia, endocarditis, hospital/ventilator-associated pneumonia, osteomyelitis, deep abscess, meningitis/VP shunt infections
IV vancomycin does not treat C. difficile colitis; oral/enteral vancomycin does (poor systemic absorption)
Dosing is now typically guided by AUC-based monitoring (target AUC/MIC 400–600 for serious MRSA infections) rather than trough alone; where AUC monitoring is unavailable, trough-based monitoring is still used
Typical adult IV dosing for serious infection (normal renal function): 15–20 mg/kg IV q8–12h (actual body weight), often preceded by a loading dose of 20–25 mg/kg in critically ill or high-MIC infections
Common IV infusion limits: infuse over ≥60 minutes per gram (no faster than ~10–15 mg/min) to minimize infusion-related reaction ("Red man" syndrome)
Major toxicities: nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity (rare at standard dosing), and infusion reactions; risk increases with high exposures (AUC >600, high troughs), prolonged therapy, concurrent nephrotoxins, and critical illness

Brand & Generic Names

Generic Name: Vancomycin hydrochloride
Brand Names: Vancocin, Firvanq, generics

Medication Class

Glycopeptide antibiotic; primarily anti–Gram-positive (MRSA-active). Bactericidal activity against most Gram-positive organisms including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE), penicillin-resistant pneumococci, and susceptible Enterococcus species. Not effective against vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) or Gram-negative bacteria.

Pharmacology

Mechanism of Action:

Vancomycin is a glycopeptide that inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding firmly to the D-Ala–D-Ala terminus of cell wall precursor units
This binding prevents transglycosylation and transpeptidation (cross-linking) of peptidoglycan, weakening the cell wall and leading to bacterial cell death (bactericidal) against susceptible Gram-positive organisms
Not effective against Gram-negative bacteria because the outer membrane prevents adequate vancomycin penetration to its target site
Resistance (e.g., vancomycin-resistant enterococci – VRE, and vancomycin-intermediate/resistant Staphylococcus aureus – VISA/VRSA) often involves alteration of the binding site (D-Ala–D-Lac or D-Ala–D-Ser), greatly reducing binding affinity

Pharmacokinetics:

Absorption: Oral vancomycin is poorly absorbed, leading to high concentrations in the intestinal lumen but minimal systemic levels; IV vancomycin is required for systemic infections
Distribution: Volume of distribution ≈0.4–1 L/kg; penetrates most tissues and fluids, including inflamed meninges; protein binding ~30–50%
Onset: IV bactericidal activity begins once adequate serum/tissue concentrations are achieved; time to steady state without loading is ~3–5 half-lives
Metabolism: Minimal; vancomycin is largely excreted unchanged
Elimination: Primarily renal via glomerular filtration; elimination half-life ~4–8 hours with normal kidney function, prolonged significantly in renal impairment and anuric patients
Pharmacodynamics: Time-dependent killing with AUC/MIC (not peak) as the main driver of efficacy; target AUC/MIC 400–600 (assuming MIC 1 mg/L) for serious MRSA infections when possible

Indications

Common ED/ICU indications (IV vancomycin):

Empiric therapy for sepsis or septic shock when MRSA is a concern (e.g., ICU-acquired infection, prior MRSA, invasive devices, skin/soft-tissue source)
Hospital-acquired or ventilator-associated pneumonia where MRSA is suspected or proven
Bacteremia and endocarditis due to MRSA, coagulase-negative staphylococci, or penicillin-resistant streptococci (often combined with other agents per ID consult)
Osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, and deep soft tissue infections involving MRSA or resistant Gram-positive organisms
Post-neurosurgical meningitis/ventriculitis and shunt infections when MRSA or resistant Gram-positives are suspected (often combined with a broad Gram-negative agent)

Indications – oral/enteral vancomycin:

Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) colitis: Oral or enteral vancomycin is first-line therapy in many guidelines for initial and recurrent episodes, at doses such as 125 mg PO q6h for 10 days in non-fulminant disease (dose/frequency may be higher in fulminant infection)
Oral/enteral vancomycin is not effective for systemic infections due to poor absorption; it is specifically for infections within the GI lumen

Dosing & Administration

Available Forms:

IV powder vials: Commonly 500 mg, 750 mg, 1 g, or 1.5 g vials for reconstitution with sterile water, then further diluted in compatible IV infusions (e.g., NS, D5W)
Premixed IV bags: Institution-specific (e.g., 1 g in 200–250 mL)
Oral capsules or solution: 125 mg, 250 mg capsules; oral solution (e.g., 25 mg/mL or 50 mg/mL). IV formulation may be reconstituted and given orally/enterally if oral product unavailable
Concentrations for IV infusion are typically 2–5 mg/mL depending on vein size and volume tolerance; central lines tolerate higher concentrations than peripheral lines

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: For serious MRSA infections, aim for AUC/MIC 400–600 (assuming MIC 1 mg/L) when AUC-based monitoring is available. If using trough-based monitoring, traditional targets: 10–15 mg/L for less severe infections and 15–20 mg/L for bacteremia, endocarditis, meningitis, osteomyelitis, and hospital-acquired pneumonia (recognizing higher nephrotoxicity risk at higher troughs). Draw levels typically just before the 4th dose (at steady state) or earlier if renal function is changing rapidly.

Dosing – Vancomycin (Adult IV):

Always follow local pharmacist/ID-guided protocol for dosing and therapeutic monitoring.

Scenario	Typical Dose	Interval	Notes
Loading dose – critically ill/severe sepsis or serious MRSA infection	20–25 mg/kg IV (actual body weight), max 3 g	Once	Consider in shock, meningitis, pneumonia, or high MIC; not always needed in mild infections
Maintenance – serious MRSA infections (normal renal function)	15–20 mg/kg IV (actual body weight)	Every 8–12 hours	Adjust based on AUC or troughs; lower end of dose/longer interval in elderly or borderline renal function
Less severe infections (e.g., uncomplicated skin/soft-tissue)	10–15 mg/kg IV	Every 12 hours (or longer)	Often avoided in favor of oral agents if MRSA risk is low; adjust for renal function
Renal impairment – moderate	15–20 mg/kg IV	Every 24–48 hours	Individualize based on creatinine clearance and levels; pharmacist-guided dosing strongly recommended
Hemodialysis (intermittent)	Loading 20–25 mg/kg IV, then 500–1,000 mg post-HD	After each HD session	Use pre- or post-HD levels to guide redosing; protocols vary
CRRT (CVVH/CVVHD)	15–20 mg/kg IV loading, then 7.5–15 mg/kg/day	Given as q12–24h dosing or continuous infusion	Dosing depends heavily on CRRT modality and effluent rate; use unit protocols and levels
Maximum infusion rate	No more than 1 g/hour (≈10–15 mg/min)	Applies to all IV doses	Slower infusions reduce risk of infusion reactions ("Red man" syndrome); infuse over ≥60 minutes per gram

Dosing – Oral/Enteral Vancomycin for C. diff (Adult):

Initial non-fulminant episode: Commonly 125 mg PO/enteral q6h for 10 days (per many guideline examples)
Fulminant (severe, complicated) C. diff: Higher doses often used (e.g., 500 mg PO/NG q6h) plus IV metronidazole and possibly rectal vancomycin; follow ID/institutional protocols
Recurrent C. diff: Tapering or pulsed vancomycin regimens or fidaxomicin often used – defer to current C. diff guidelines

Contraindications

Contraindications:

Known hypersensitivity to vancomycin or any component of the formulation
Avoid IV vancomycin as monotherapy for infections where better, less toxic options exist (e.g., uncomplicated MSSA bacteremia/endocarditis where nafcillin/cefazolin is superior)

Major Precautions:

Pre-existing renal dysfunction: Advanced age and concurrent nephrotoxins enhance risk of nephrotoxicity; dose carefully and monitor closely
Rapid infusion risk: Rapid infusion or high-concentration peripheral infusions can cause infusion-related reactions ("Red man" or "Red neck" syndrome): flushing, pruritus, hypotension; mitigated by slower infusion and premedication with antihistamines if needed
Ototoxicity risk: Pre-existing hearing loss or use of other ototoxic drugs (e.g., loop diuretics, aminoglycosides) may increase risk of ototoxicity, particularly at very high vancomycin levels
Obesity: Alters volume of distribution and dosing weight considerations; actual body weight is often used for dosing, but maximum individual doses are sometimes capped; involve pharmacists for complex patients
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Vancomycin does cross the placenta and appears in breast milk, but is generally considered acceptable when benefits outweigh risks (per ID/OB guidance)

Adverse Effects

Common:

Infusion-related reactions (flushing, erythema, pruritus) especially of upper body and neck ("Red man" syndrome), often with rapid infusions
Mild, reversible elevation in serum creatinine or BUN with short courses at standard doses
Phlebitis or irritation at IV site, especially with peripheral administration or concentrated solutions

Serious:

Nephrotoxicity with significant rises in creatinine and potential acute kidney injury, particularly with high doses/AUC, prolonged therapy, and concurrent nephrotoxins
Ototoxicity (hearing loss, tinnitus), usually associated with very high serum concentrations or prolonged courses; rare at contemporary dosing targets
Severe infusion reactions with hypotension, chest/back pain, and rarely cardiac arrest if given too rapidly
Neutropenia, eosinophilia, and rarely agranulocytosis with prolonged therapy
Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), Stevens–Johnson syndrome, or other severe hypersensitivity reactions (rare)

Special Populations

Renal impairment: Dose reduction and interval extension required based on creatinine clearance; monitor levels closely; pharmacist consultation strongly recommended for individualized dosing
Hemodialysis: Loading dose of 20–25 mg/kg, then redose based on post-HD levels (typically 500–1,000 mg after each session); protocols vary by institution
CRRT (continuous renal replacement therapy): Loading dose 15–20 mg/kg, then maintenance 7.5–15 mg/kg/day as intermittent or continuous infusion; highly variable based on CRRT modality and effluent rates; use unit protocols and therapeutic drug monitoring
Obesity: Use actual body weight for initial dosing calculations; may require pharmacist involvement for optimal dosing and monitoring strategy
Elderly patients: Higher risk of nephrotoxicity and accumulation due to age-related decline in renal function; use lower end of dosing range and extend intervals as appropriate; monitor levels closely
Pregnancy: Category B (animal studies show no risk, but human data limited); generally considered acceptable when benefits outweigh risks for serious MRSA infections; crosses placenta with fetal exposure
Breastfeeding: Present in breast milk at low concentrations; considered acceptable for use during breastfeeding in most cases; monitor infant for potential effects on GI flora
Pediatrics: Dosing differs significantly from adults; typically 10–15 mg/kg/dose IV q6–8h for most infections, with higher doses (15–20 mg/kg/dose) for serious infections; neonatal dosing varies by gestational and postnatal age

Monitoring Parameters (ED / ICU)

Renal function: Baseline and at least twice-weekly (or more often in unstable patients) serum creatinine and BUN to monitor renal function; daily monitoring in critically ill or on nephrotoxins
Vancomycin levels: Trough or AUC-based monitoring per institutional protocol, especially for serious MRSA infections, renal impairment, or prolonged treatment; typically drawn just before 4th dose at steady state
Clinical response: Fever curve, hemodynamics, WBC trend, and source control; lack of improvement may require re-evaluation of diagnosis, source control, or organism susceptibility
Auditory symptoms: Monitor for tinnitus and hearing changes in patients receiving prolonged or high-dose therapy, particularly with concomitant ototoxins
Infusion monitoring: Assess infusion site and patient symptoms during infusion for signs of Red man syndrome or other adverse reactions
CBC: Periodic complete blood count to monitor for neutropenia or eosinophilia with prolonged therapy

Clinical Pearls

MRSA Workhorse, Not MSSA First-Line: Think of vancomycin primarily as your MRSA workhorse; for MSSA bacteremia/endocarditis, beta-lactams (e.g., nafcillin, cefazolin) are usually superior and less nephrotoxic. Always de-escalate from vancomycin to targeted therapy when susceptibilities allow.

Empiric Sepsis Bundle Approach: Adding vancomycin to broad Gram-negative coverage (e.g., piperacillin–tazobactam or cefepime) is a common sepsis bundle approach when MRSA is on the table; reassess need and de-escalate once cultures and MRSA screens return.

Red Man Syndrome Management: For Red man syndrome (flushing, pruritus, hypotension during infusion), slow down the infusion (e.g., extend to 2 hours or more, especially for larger doses) and consider pre-treatment with an H1 blocker (e.g., diphenhydramine 25–50 mg IV). This is not an IgE-mediated anaphylaxis but a histamine-release reaction that may limit use if severe.

IV vs. Oral Indications: Always confirm that oral/enteral vancomycin orders are for C. diff or other GI-lumen indications, and that systemic infections are receiving IV therapy. IV vancomycin does NOT treat C. diff colitis due to poor GI absorption.

Nephrotoxicity Risk with Concurrent Agents: In critically ill patients on CRRT or with rapidly changing renal function, partner early with pharmacy/ID for AUC-based dosing and level interpretation. Risk of nephrotoxicity increases significantly with concurrent use of piperacillin–tazobactam, aminoglycosides, or IV contrast.

Loading Dose for Critically Ill: Consider a loading dose of 20–25 mg/kg (max 3 g) in critically ill patients with septic shock, meningitis, or high-MIC organisms to achieve therapeutic levels rapidly. Time to steady state without loading can be >24 hours in patients with normal renal function.

AUC vs. Trough Monitoring: The 2020 consensus guidelines recommend AUC/MIC-based monitoring (target 400–600) over trough-based monitoring for serious MRSA infections. However, many institutions still use trough-based monitoring (10–20 mg/L depending on severity) where AUC monitoring is unavailable. Know your institution's protocol.

References

Rybak, M. J., Le, J., Lodise, T. P., Levine, D. P., Bradley, J. S., Liu, C., ... & Tverdek, F. (2020). Therapeutic monitoring of vancomycin for serious methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections: A revised consensus guideline. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, 77(11), 835–864. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajhp/zxaa036
Liu, C., Bayer, A., Cosgrove, S. E., Daum, R. S., Fridkin, S. K., Gorwitz, R. J., ... & Chambers, H. F. (2011). Clinical practice guidelines by the IDSA for the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections in adults and children. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 52(3), e18–e55. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciq146
Lexicomp. (2024). Vancomycin: Drug information. Wolters Kluwer.
Gilbert, D. N., Chambers, H. F., Eliopoulos, G. M., Saag, M. S., & Pavia, A. T. (2021). The Sanford Guide to Antimicrobial Therapy 2021. Antimicrobial Therapy, Inc.
EMCrit Project. (2023). Antibiotics – Vancomycin (IBCC). https://emcrit.org/