Vancomycin, Peak, Serum Clinical Information Discusses
physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as
they relate to a laboratory test Vancomycin is an antibiotic
used to treat infections caused by gram-positive organisms that
are resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics, such as methicillin-
resistant staphylococci (MRSA), Staphylococcus viridans group,
penicillin/cephalosporin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae, and
penicillin/ampicillin-resistant Enterococcus species. The oral
formulation, which is not absorbed, is used in the treatment of
pseudomembranous colitis caused by Clostridium difficile.
Vancomycin is also used when patients are intolerant or allergic
to beta lactams. Vancomycin has been associated with
nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity, although it appears that many of
these reports reflected impurities in early formulations.
Monitoring of vancomycin-related nephrotoxicity is recommended
only for patients with reduced renal function, those receiving
aggressive or prolonged vancomycin regim