Vancophar Indications/Uses

Vancomycin is an amphoteric glycopeptide antimicrobial substance produced by the growth of certain strains of Nocardia Orientalis (formerly known as Strepromyces orientalis). It is bactericidal against many gram-positive organisms.
Vancomycin is indicated in potentially life-threatening infections due to susceptible gram-positive organisms which cannot be treated by other effective, less toxic antimicrobial drugs, such as the penicillins and cephalosporins. As vancomycin is an antibiotic to which nearly all strains of staphylococcus remain susceptible, it should be reserved for those cases where there is a specific indication, to minimise the chance of resistance emerging. Vancomycin is one of the agents of choice in treating methicillin resistant staphylococcal infection.
Staphylococcal Infections: Vancomycin is useful in therapy of severe staphylococcal infections in patients who cannot receive or who have failed to respond to the penicillins and cephalosporins or who have infections with staphylococci that are resistant to other antibiotics including methicillin. Vancomycin has been used successfully alone in the treatment of staphylococcal endocarditis and as prophylaxis against endocarditis in patients at risk from dental or surgical procedures.
Its efficacy has been documented in other infections due to staphylococci, including osteomyelitis, pneumonia, septicemia and soft tissue infections.
Pseudomembranous Colitis and Staphylococcal enterocolitis: Since vancomycin is not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, oral vancomycin is indicated for severe cases of antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis (usually involving Clostridium difficile) and staphylococcal enterocolitis. Relapse of pseudomembranous colitis is possible and usually occurs 4 to 21 days after vancomycin is discontinued. Patients appear to respond to a second course of oral vancomycin.
Intravenous vancomycin is ineffective for these indications.
Vancomycin is not effective by the oral route for other types of infection. Intravenous administration may be used concomitantly if required.