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Vancomycin Coupon - Vancomycin 125mg capsule

vancomycin

Generic Vancocin
Used for Skin Infection, Bacterial Infection, Lower Respiratory Infection, Gastrointestinal Infection, Diarrhea
Used for Skin Infection, Bacterial Infection, Lower Respiratory Infection, Gastrointestinal Infection, Diarrhea

Vancomycin (Vancocin) is an antibiotic medication that's used to treat Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) diarrhea and certain severe gut infections in both adults and children. Vancomycin (Vancocin) is taken by mouth, typically 3 to 4 times a day. It's available as both oral capsules and a liquid. Common side effects of vancomycin (Vancocin) include nausea and stomach pain.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Ally Tsai, PharmD
reviewer
Connie Zheng, PharmD
Last reviewed on May 4, 2023
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageCostAlternativesLatest newsImagesReferencesPricesMedicare
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What is Vancomycin (Vancocin)?

What is Vancomycin (Vancocin) used for?

  • Infectious diarrhea caused by Clostridioides difficile (C. diff)

  • Gut inflammation (enterocolitis) caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus)

How Vancomycin (Vancocin) works

Vancomycin (Vancocin) is a glycopeptide antibiotic. It kills bacteria by preventing them from making their own protective covering.

Are you looking for information on vancomycin injection instead?

Drug Facts

Common BrandsVancocin, Firvanq
Drug ClassGlycopeptide
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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What are the side effects of Vancomycin (Vancocin)?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Nausea (17%)
  • Stomach pain (15%)
  • Low blood potassium levels (13%)
  • Vomiting (9%)
  • Diarrhea (9%)
  • Fever (9%)

Other Side Effects

  • Passing gas
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Headache
  • Swelling in the arms or legs
  • Back pain
  • Feeling tired

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Kidney injury: feeling sick or weak, urinating less than usual, confusion, blood in urine, swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet
  • Hearing problems: ringing in the ears, hearing loss, dizziness, sensation that the room is spinning
  • Severe skin reaction: rash, blistering or peeling of skin, hives, painful sores in your mouth or around your eyes, fever, trouble breathing, swollen lymph nodes
  • Serious allergic reactions: Chest tightness, wheezing, trouble breathing

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

  • Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
  • Hearing loss, ringing in ears
  • Kidney injury—decrease in the amount of urine, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet
  • Rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes
  • Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
  • Severe diarrhea, fever
  • Unusual vaginal discharge, itching, or odor

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Vancomycin (Vancocin)

thumbs-up

Pros

Available in a liquid form (Firvanq) for people who have difficulty swallowing pills

First-line of treatment for C. diff diarrhea

Both oral capsules and solutions are available as lower-cost generic medications

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Cons

Needs to be taken multiple times a day

Can raise the risk of kidney damage

Can cause nausea as a side effect

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Vancomycin (Vancocin)

pharmacist

  • Be aware that if you're taking vancomycin (Vancocin) for C. diff diarrhea, your provider might decide to admit you to the hospital to prevent the spread of C. diff during treatment. Make sure to follow your provider's instructions to lower the risk of passing on the infection to someone else.

    • Take vancomycin (Vancocin) exactly as prescribed. Make sure to finish your treatment course, even if you're feeling better. Stopping the medication earlier than prescribed can make your infection come back and become harder to treat.

      • If you're using vancomycin (Vancocin) for C. diff diarrhea, let your provider know if your diarrhea gets worse after you start taking it. You might need a different medication.

        • Let your provider know if you experience hearing loss or difficulty maintaining your balance after you start vancomycin (Vancocin). Though not common, this medication can affect your hearing and balance.

          • Vancomycin (Vancocin) can sometimes cause serious skin reactions. Watch out for symptoms such as skin rash or blisters. Stop this medication and get medical attention right away if these reactions happen.

            Tips for vancomycin (Vancocin) oral suspension

            • Shake the bottle well before using. Make sure to only use a medication dose cup or syringe from the pharmacy to measure out your dose. Don't use household spoons because they aren't accurate and might cause you to take the wrong dose.

              • Store vancomycin (Vancocin) liquid in the refrigerator for up to 14 days. Then, throw away the bottle, even if there's still some medication left. Don't take and throw away the medication if it looks cloudy or has particles.

                faqs

                Frequently asked questions about Vancomycin (Vancocin)

                Is vancomycin (Vancocin) a penicillin?
                No, vancomycin (Vancocin) isn't a penicillin antibiotic. It's a glycopeptide antibiotic. If you're allergic to penicillin, your provider can consider vancomycin (Vancocin) for you if it's appropriate for your condition.
                How do i know if vancomycin is working?
                One way to tell that vancomycin (Vancocin) is working for your infection is if you start to pass loose stools less often. According to clinical studies, many people who took vancomycin (Vancocin) had no more diarrhea after 4 to 5 days of treatment. Keep in mind that even if your symptoms get better, it's important to finish your course of vancomycin (Vancocin) to prevent the infection from coming back. If your diarrhea gets worse during treatment, or if you experience diarrhea with fever, belly pain, loss of appetite, and nausea, let your provider know right away.
                Does vancomycin (Vancocin) harm the kidneys?
                Although not common, there have been reports of people experiencing kidney problems with vancomycin (Vancocin) during clinical trials. In those cases, the kidney problems happened both during and after treatment with vancomycin (Vancocin). The risk of kidney problems is higher for people ages 65 years and older. If you're an older adult or if you already have a kidney condition, your provider might order labs to check your kidney health and vancomycin (Vancocin) level during your treatment. Talk with your provider if you're concerned about kidney problems and vancomycin (Vancocin).
                Can vancomycin (Vancocin) affect my hearing?
                It's very unlikely that you'll experience hearing loss from oral vancomycin (Vancocin). There have been cases of hearing problems reported with vancomycin, but those are linked to vancomycin infusions. But in most of those cases, the people who experienced hearing problems already had some hearing loss, kidney problems, or were taking other medications that could damage their hearing. If you have any of those conditions or are taking medications that might affect your hearing, let your provider know. Your provider might ask you to have hearing tests done while you take this medication.
                Do I need to avoid any foods while taking vancomycin (Vancocin)?
                Although vancomycin (Vancocin) doesn't have any known interactions with foods, it's best to avoid foods that can irritate your stomach during treatment. Foods that might be hard on your stomach include ones that are high in fat or made of fibers that are difficult to digest, such as fried foods, creamy sauces, beans, or wheat products. One study suggests that people who often drank tea or coffee, or ate eggs regularly were more likely to have C. diff diarrhea again. In addition, certain food, such as milk or cheese, are more likely to cause diarrhea and might make your symptoms of infection worse. One thing to note is that yogurt might be a good source of probiotics to help you build up good bacteria in the gut during treatment with vancomycin (Vancocin). Talk to your provider if you've questions about your diet and C. diff diarrhea.
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                What are the risks and warnings for Vancomycin (Vancocin)?

                Vancomycin (Vancocin) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

                risk-warning

                Higher risk of side effects

                • Risk factors: Inflamed intestines | Taking an aminoglycoside antibiotic at the same time | Current kidney problems

                  If you're taking vancomycin (Vancocin) by mouth, it's possible for some of the medication to be absorbed into your bloodstream and cause more side effects. The risk is higher if you've inflammation in your intestines, kidney problems, or are taking an aminoglycoside antibiotic at the same time. If you've any of these risk factors, let your provider know before starting treatment with vancomycin (Vancocin). Your provider might order blood tests to make sure this medication is safe for you.

                  risk-warning

                  Kidney problems

                  • Risk factors: History of kidney problems | Taking other medications that can cause kidney problems | Age 65 years and older

                    Though not common, vancomycin (Vancocin) can cause serious kidney problems. The risk is higher for certain people, such as older adults. Your provider might order blood work during during and after your treatment with vancomycin (Vancocin) to check your kidney health. Let your provider know right away if you have possible symptoms of kidney problems, such as feeling tired or seeing swelling in your hands and feet.

                    risk-warning

                    Hearing problems

                    • Risk factors: Older adults | History of hearing problems | Taking other medications that can cause hearing problems | Receiving vancomycin injection

                      Rarely, people who take vancomycin (Vancocin) can sometimes experience hearing problems that can be temporary or permanent. These side effects are more common in people receiving vancomycin injections or taking other medications that cause hearing problems. Your provider might order hearing tests before and during vancomycin (Vancocin) treatment to make sure this medication is safe for you. If you experience difficulty hearing, ringing in the ears, or a spinning sensation, please talk with your provider right away because you might need to stop this medication.

                      risk-warning

                      Severe skin reactions

                      Vancomycin (Vancocin) can sometimes cause rash and other severe skin reactions, such as drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) and Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS). If you experience these reactions, your provider will need to stop vancomycin (Vancocin) right away and switch you to a different medication. If you have a rash, blisters on your lips, skin peeling, skin pain, mouth sores, or high fever, get medical help immediately.

                      risk-warning

                      Serious allergic reactions (tablets only)

                      • Risk factors: Allergy to tartrazine | Aspirin allergy

                        Certain vancomycin (Vancocin) tablets contain a dye called FD&C Yellow No. 5 (tartrazine). If you're allergic to tartrazine, let your provider know right away. They can help you choose a manufacturer that doesn't use this dye. Get medical help right away if you experience trouble breathing after taking vancomycin (Vancocin) because you might be having an allergic reaction.

                        dosage

                        Vancomycin (Vancocin) dosage forms

                        The average cost for 40 capsules of 125mg of Vancomycin (Vancocin) is $3401.75 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 12.78% off the average retail price of $3900.33.
                        capsule
                        Capsule
                        DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                        125mg40 capsules$3401.75$85.04
                        250mg60 capsules$9386.91$156.45

                        Typical dosing for Vancomycin (Vancocin)

                        Adults

                        • Infectious diarrhea: The typical dose is 125 mg by mouth 4 times daily for 10 days.

                        • Inflamed gut: The typical dose is 500 mg to 2 grams by mouth daily, split into 3 or 4 doses and taken throughout the day for 7 to 10 days.

                        Children

                        • Infectious diarrhea and inflamed gut: Your child's provider will determine your child's dose based on their body weight. The typical dose is 40 mg/kg of body weight by mouth daily, split into 3 or 4 doses and taken throughout the day for 7 to 10 days. The maximum recommended dose is 2 grams daily.

                        More on Vancomycin (Vancocin) dosage forms

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                        alternatives

                        What are alternatives to Vancomycin (Vancocin)?

                        There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Vancomycin (Vancocin). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                        Vancomycin (Vancocin)
                        Used for:

                        • Infectious diarrhea caused by Clostridioides difficile (C. diff)

                        • Gut inflammation (enterocolitis) caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus)

                        $800.69 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                        Dificid (fidaxomicin)
                        Used for:
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                        latest news

                        What is the latest news about Vancomycin (Vancocin)?

                        Read on for oral vancomycin dosage information, including typical dosage, adjustments for health conditions, and what to do if you miss a dose.

                        Oral Vancomycin Dosages: Your GoodRx Guide

                        Read on for oral vancomycin dosage information, including typical dosage, adjustments for health conditions, and what to do if you miss a dose.
                        Diuretics and NSAIDS, such as ibuprofen, could be nephrotoxic, meaning they can potentially harm your kidneys. Here are common drugs that may cause kidney damage.

                        10 Medications That May Raise Your Risk of Kidney Damage

                        Diuretics and NSAIDS, such as ibuprofen, could be nephrotoxic, meaning they can potentially harm your kidneys. Here are common drugs that may cause kidney damage.
                        Antibiotics are used to treat infections caused by bacteria. Taking antibiotics when you don't need them might lead to adverse side effects. Learn why here.

                        When Do You Really Need Antibiotics?

                        Antibiotics are used to treat infections caused by bacteria. Taking antibiotics when you don't need them might lead to adverse side effects. Learn why here.
                        Diarrhea is a side effect of most antibiotics. Antibiotics can cause diarrhea because they kill certain types of bacteria in your GI tract. This may lead to serious diarrhea caused by a Clostridium difficile infection. Learn more here.

                        Which Antibiotics Are Less Likely to Cause Diarrhea From C. diff?

                        Diarrhea is a side effect of most antibiotics. Antibiotics can cause diarrhea because they kill certain types of bacteria in your GI tract. This may lead to serious diarrhea caused by a Clostridium difficile infection. Learn more here.
                        Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is a rare but potentially life-threatening reaction to a medication. However, symptoms are usually mild, and the condition can be treated. Learn more about DRESS syndrome with GoodRx.

                        What Is DRESS Syndrome and What Causes It?

                        Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is a rare but potentially life-threatening reaction to a medication. However, symptoms are usually mild, and the condition can be treated. Learn more about DRESS syndrome with GoodRx.
                        Picture this: You go to the pharmacy to pick up a generic medication (the affordable version of a brand drug that your doctor swore would be affordable), only to be quoted over $1,000 for a 30-day supply.

                        Here’s How to Save As Much As $2000 on Your Prescriptions With GoodRx

                        Picture this: You go to the pharmacy to pick up a generic medication (the affordable version of a brand drug that your doctor swore would be affordable), only to be quoted over $1,000 for a 30-day supply.
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                        References

                        Best studies we found

                        Azurity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (2023). Firvanq- vancomycin hydrochloride kit [package insert]. DailyMed.

                        McDonald, L. C., et al. (2018). Clinical practice guidelines for Clostridium difficile infection in adults and children: 2017 update by SHEA/IDSA. Clinical Infectious Diseases.

                        National Kidney Foundation. (2020). 10 signs you may have kidney disease.

                        View All References (4)

                        Oman Evans II, M., et al. (2016). Tea and recurrent Clostridium difficile infection. Gastroenterology Research and Practice.

                        PAI Holdings, LLC. (2023). Vancomycin hydrochloride capsule [package insert]. DailyMed.

                        Patel, S., et al. (2023). Vancomycin. StatPearls.

                        Wilshire Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (2023). Vancomycin hydrochloride for oral solution- vancomycin hydrochloride [package insert]. DailyMed.

                        GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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