Vancomycin - Biotech, Pharma and Life Science Channel
Vancomycin is an antobiotic indicated for the treatment of serious, life-threatening infections by Gram-positive bacteria that are unresponsive to other less-toxic antibiotics. In particular, vancomycin should not be used to treat methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus because it is inferior to penicillins such as nafcillin.
Vancomycin acts by inhibiting proper cell wall synthesis in Gram-positive bacteria. Due to the different mechanism by which Gram-negative bacteria produce their cell walls and the various factors related to entering the outer membrane of Gram-negative organisms, vancomycin is not active against Gram-negative bacteria (except some non-gonococcal species of Neisseria).
The increasing emergence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci has resulted in the development of guidelines for use by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Hospital Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee. These guidelines restrict use of vancomycin to the following indications:
* treatment of serious infections caused by susceptible organisms resistant to penicillins (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and multi-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE)) or in individuals with serious allergy to penicillins
* pseudomembranous colitis (relapse or unresponsive to metronidazole treatment)
* For treatment of infections caused by gram-positive microorganisms in patients with serious allergies to beta-lactam antimicrobials.
* antibacterial prophylaxis for endocarditis following certain procedures in penicillin-hypersensitive individuals at high risk
* surgical prophylaxis for major procedures involving implantation of prostheses in institutions with a high rate of MRSA or MRSE.
Source; Word IQ
Add the Vancomycin News Channel to your RSS reader;
PubMed Articles
None
News Articles
Cruise Ships and Norovirus: How Copper Can Keep You Healthy on the Open Seas
NEW YORK, June 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Designed as the ultimate getaway, cruise ships attract millions of vacationers each year. For days—or even weeks—cruise ship passengers can enjoy the...
Novo A/S acquires Xellia Pharmaceuticals for US$ 700 million
Xellia is a leading developer and manufacturer of anti-infective therapies for multi-drug resistant infections. With this acquisition Novo expands its long-term investmen...
BURLINGTON, Mass., April 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Decision Resources, one of the world's leading research and advisory firms for pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, finds that surveyed U.S. and Euro...
CHAPEL HILL, N.C., April 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Cempra, Inc. (Nasdaq: CEMP), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on developing differentiated antibiotics to meet critical medical needs i...
INDIANAPOLIS, April 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Nora Apothecary & Alternative Therapies today announced a voluntary multi-state recall of all sterile drug products compounded by the pharmacy tha...
EXTON, Pa., April 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- ViroPharma Incorporated (Nasdaq: VPHM), an international biopharmaceutical company committed to developing and commercializing innovative products t...
AUSTIN, Texas, April 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --Savara Pharmaceuticals announced today that the first patient has started study drug treatment in a Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating the safety and effica...
AUSTIN, TX and TORONTO, March 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ - Affinium Pharmaceuticals announced today that its Phase 2a clinical trial evaluating oral AFN-1252 in acute bacterial skin & skin structure...
Tech Coast Angels Contributes More Than $3 Million to $16 Million Savara Pharmaceuticals Series B
SAN DIEGO, March 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Tech Coast Angels (TCA), the largest and most active angel network in the United States, announced that the network contributed $3.2 million to a Savara...
AUSTIN, TX and TORONTO, March 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ - Affinium Pharmaceuticals announced today the expansion of its leadership team with the appointment of two senior biotech and pharmaceutical exe...
Events
None
Companies
Cubist Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a drug company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel drugs to treat infections. Daptomycin, the Company's in-licensed lead product...
Clinical Trials
None
Videos
Vancomycin & Red Man's Syndrome
Vancomycin & Red Man's Syndrome - Captured Live on Ustream at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/simple-nursing.
Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions
Vancomycin Resistance
Nonsusceptibility of bacteria to the action of VANCOMYCIN, an inhibitor of cell wall synthesis.
