Antibiotics help treat infections caused by bacteria. For example, vancomycin and aminoglycosides (like tobramycin, gentamicin and amikacin) are often infused intravenously (duplicative into the vein).
Always follow your health care team’s instructions when receiving your medication. Before starting your medication, let your doctor, nurse and Coram®* pharmacist know:
- If you have or have had any drug allergy
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
- If you have kidney disease, dizziness, hearing loss, fullness or ringing in your ears
- About any medications or over-the-counter medications and herbal supplements you take
Common side effects that you may have
You may have general side effects like:
- Diarrhea or watery stool, very bad smelling stool or abdominal pain
- Feeling weak, numbness or tingling
- Fever or chills
- Feeling drowsy or sleepy
- Cough
- Nausea or vomiting
- Pain or redness at your IV site
- Headache
Serious side effects to watch for
Vancomycin or aminoglycosides can be safely given at home. They do have possible side effects that require careful monitoring. That’s why your doctor may order labs. Let your doctor, nurse or Coram pharmacist know if you have any of the following reactions or side effects. These can happen during or after your treatment.
If you notice any of these severe reactions, STOP your medication right away. Then call 911 or your local emergency services for help.
Severe allergic reactions:
- Chest or throat tightness
- Slow or fast heartbeat
- Low blood pressure
- Hard to breathe or loud wheezing
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded that does not go away quickly
- Swelling of your throat, tongue, or face
- Fainting or passing out
Kidney problems and hearing changes:
- Decrease in the amount or frequency of urine
- Darker colored urine
- Fewer wet diapers than usual in children or infants
- Ringing, buzzing, whistling or feeling of fullness in the ears
- Puffiness, swelling or fast weight gain
- New or worsening hearing loss
- Muffled or plugged ears
- Changes in hearing for children (like when your child turns up the TV volume or your baby is not startled by loud noises)
- New or worsening back pain
- Problems with balance
If you receive vancomycin, you may have a common allergic reaction called vancomycin flushing syndrome or vancomycin infusion reaction. Once known as red man syndrome, this reaction can often happen when the medication is infused too quickly.
Stop the current vancomycin infusion if you notice any of these reactions:
• Redness or rash of the face, neck, upper body or back
• Low blood pressure or feeling lightheaded
• Chills, fever or headache
• Itchy welts on your skin
• Fast heartbeat
• Nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain
Call your Coram pharmacist and doctor to ask what to do next. They’ll let you know if you need to make any changes.
A checklist to help you get the most from your therapy
- Find out if your nurse will be drawing blood for a medication level. If so, wait to receive the medication until after your nurse draws your blood.
- Drink lots of water during your treatment (8 to 10 glasses of water a day) unless your doctor has told you to limit fluids.
- Be sure to receive your medication at the same time each day. Tell your Coram pharmacist if you have missed a dose or have taken it at a different time than usual. Be sure to finish the entire course even if you start to feel better.
- Infuse your medication as directed. Do not infuse it too fast; this can cause a reaction and affect your kidneys or ears.
- Always tell your doctor before taking any new over the counter medications. This includes vitamins, herbal products or supplements. These can affect how your medication works.
- If you have any side effects, call your doctor, nurse or Coram pharmacist.
Disclaimers
*Coram CVS Specialty® Infusion Services
This information is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Talk to your doctor or health care provider about your medical condition and prior to starting any new treatment. Coram assumes no liability whatsoever for the information provided or for any diagnosis or treatment made as a result.