Patient was educated on contraindications for using Vancomycin as follows:
- Patients with history of antibiotic associated diarrhea must be cautious about using Vancomycin. Discuss with your doctor regarding your history of the same.
- Patients with history of opportunistic infections must be cautious about using Vancomycin. Discuss with your doctor regarding your history of the same.
- Patients with history of diminished hearing and ototoxicity are at increased risk for hearing loss with Vancomycin. Discuss with your doctor regarding safety with Vancomycin use.
- Vancomycin is not metabolized and is excreted unchanged in the urine. Individuals with compromised renal functions tend to retain the drug in the circulation longer, thus resulting in toxicity. Vancomycin should be avoided or used with extreme caution in such individuals.
- Individuals with history of seizures and hallucinations can present with exacerbation of these symptoms with Vancomycin. Vancomycin should be avoided or used with extreme caution in individuals with seizure history.
- Vancomycin should be avoided or used cautiously in individuals with history of cardiac arrhythmias, as it has the potential to induce life-threatening cardiac arrest. Individuals with history of chronic disturbance in serum magnesium and potassium ions are at increased risk for arrhythmias. Also, individuals taking Lasix are at increased risk for losing potassium, thus setting the ground for life-threatening arrhythmias with Vancomycin.
- Vancomycin intake can increase the risk for skin rash, ranging from mild to severe exfoliating rash, easy bleeding, bruising, and blister formation. Individuals with history of extreme skin rashes and taking Vancomycin should be aware of this response and observe a close watch on the same.
