Vanlid 250mg (Vancomycin)

Vanlid general information

What is Vanlid used for?

Vanlid capsules 250mg are used to treat severe bacterial infections including enterocolitis, caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (including methicillin-resistant strains) and pseudomembranous colitis caused the bacteria Clostridium difficile.  Enterocolitis is inflammation of the small intestine (enteritis) and the colon (colitis), usually due to poor hygiene or ingesting contaminated food or water causing symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea (with or without blood in the stools) and abdominal pain.  Pseudomembranous colitis is inflammation of the colon, caused by Clostridium difficile, which is a spore forming bacteria that is resistant to many disinfectants and can survive in a hospital environment.  Once in the gut it releases toxins that cause irritation to the colon.  Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea that can be watery and bloody, mucus in the stool, abdominal pain and fever.  Both conditions can cause dehydration if it does not clear up within a few days.  Normal gut flora comprises a mixture of bacteria many of which are important in maintaining healthy digestion and are therefore, known as good bacteria.  However, the balance between good bacteria and bad bacteria can be upset following treatment with other antibiotics, allowing harmful bacteria like Clostridium difficile and Staphylococcus aureus (including methicillin-resistant strains) to become overgrown.  Other conditions and some medications can cause an imbalance in good and bad bacteria.  Oral antibiotic therapy with Vanlid capsules 250mg are an effective treatment only for gastrointestinal problems caused by Clostridium difficile and Staphylococcus aureus and are not suitable for other bacterial infections.  

How does Vanlid work?

Vanlid capsules 250mg contain the antibiotic vancomycin, a tricyclic glycopeptide that is used to treat severe gastrointestinal infections due to the susceptible bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (including methicillin-resistant strains), which causes enterocolitis and Clostridium difficile, which causes and pseudomembranous colitis.  Vancomycin in Vanlid capsules 250mg works by inhibiting the biosynthesis of the bacterial cell wall and changes permeability of the cell wall, making the bacterial cell vulnerable.  Vancomycin also blocks normal RNA synthesis which prevents synthesis of proteins needed by the bacteria.  By these combined actions, Vancomycin in Vanlid capsules 250mg kills the bacteria and prevents the spread of the gastrointestinal bacterial infection.  Vancomycin in Vanlid capsules 250mg is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract into the blood and is therefore, not effective by the oral route for other types of infection.  Vanlid capsules 250mg are therefore, used to target specific bacteria in the gut that are resistant to digestive processes, and are not used to treat systemic bacterial infections.  Intravenous administration of vancomycin may be used concomitantly if required for severe systemic bacterial infections.   

What does Vanlid contain?

Vanlid capsules contain the active ingredient vancomycin 250mg, a tricyclic glycopeptide that is used to treat severe gastrointestinal infections due to the susceptible bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (including methicillin-resistant strains), which causes enterocolitis and Clostridium difficile, which causes and pseudomembranous colitis. 

Treating enteritis and colitis with Vanlid

Vanlid capsules 250mg contain the antibiotic vancomycin that is used to treat severe bacterial infections in the intestines but are not suitable for systemic bacterial infections.  Enteritis is inflammation of the small intestine and can be caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus; colitis is inflammation of the colon and can also be caused by Staphylococcus aureus as well as the bacteria Clostridium difficile.  Both conditions can cause dehydration if it does not clear up within a few days.  These bacteria thrive in the intestines if the normal balance of gut flora, which contains a mix of good and bad bacteria, is disrupted, which can happen following use of other antibiotics.  This allows the bad bacteria to become overgrown and they produce toxins which irritate the small intestine, causing symptoms including, including nausea, vomiting diarrhoea (with or without blood in the stools) and abdominal pain, mucus in the stool, and fever.  These bacteria get into the intestines usually due to poor hygiene or ingesting contaminated food or water and Clostridium difficile is resistant to many disinfectants and can survive in a hospital environment.  Vancomycin in Vanlid capsules 250mg works by inhibiting the biosynthesis of the bacterial cell wall, changing the permeability of the cell wall, and blocking normal RNA synthesis, which kills the bacteria and prevents the spread of the gastrointestinal bacterial infection, relieving symptoms of enteritis and colitis.  

What are the side effects of Vanlid?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Vanlid capsules 250mg include gastrointestinal symptoms - nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, flatulence.  In some cases if there is an underlying condition, Vancomycin in Vanlid capsules 250mg can be absorbed into the blood and can then cause system side effects.  These can include, pyrexia, oedema, peripheral, fatigue, urinary tract infection, headache, renal impairment, hearing loss,

When should Vanlid not be used?

You should not use Vanlid capsules 250mg if you:

• are allergic to vancomycin or any ingredients in Vanlid
• have a systemic infection as the oral medication is only suitable for intestinal infections
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding, without discussion with your doctor
• have kidney disease
• have an inflammatory disorder of the intestines like Crone’s disease or inflammatory bowel disease or ulcerative colitis, as this can increase absorption of vancomycin
• have hearing problems as vancomycin can be toxic to the ears (ototoxicity) and exacerbate this condition
• are receiving any intravenous antibiotics
• are taking medicines that interact with Vanlid, including other medications that can be toxic to the ears, like the diuretic frusemide or kidneys like the antibiotic streptomycin and the antifungal neomycin

How should Vanlid be taken?

You should take your Vanlid capsules 250mg swallowed whole with a glass of water up to 4 times daily for 7-10 weeks.  The dose you take and how often depends on your condition and your doctor’s recommendation.  You should continue to take your Vanlid capsules 250mg for as long as recommend by your doctor.

How long should you take Vanlid?

You should continue to take your Vanlid capsules 250mg for as long as recommend by your doctor, which may be for 7-10 days.

Missed dose of Vanlid

If you miss a dose of Vanlid capsules 250mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Vanlid be stored?

You should store your Vanlid capsules 250mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.