Vancomycin for Bacterial Infection User Reviews

Brand names: Vancocin, Firvanq, Vancocin HCl, Vancocin HCl Pulvules

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Rating: 6.4

Vancomycin has an average rating of 6.4 out of 10 from a total of 16 reviews for the treatment of bacterial infection. 50% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 25% reported a negative experience.

10		13%
9		13%
8		25%
7		13%
6		6%
5		6%
4		0%
3		6%
2		13%
1		6%

Reviews for Vancomycin

Anonymous
October 11, 2011

"I have been battling a C. diff infection for a couple of months now. I tried a 10-day (500mg x3) course of Flagyl, which didn't seem to help much. The Flagyl seemed to increase my nausea while only slightly reducing the waves of stomach pain and didn't seem to improve the diarrhea much at all. A couple of days after ending the Flagyl, I was experiencing the worst symptoms of C. diff. I immediately went on Vancomycin. I just finished a 14-day course (500mg x4) of Vancomycin yesterday, which seems to have cleared up the symptoms. Vancomycin is extremely expensive (my portion was nearly $2k after insurance picked up the bulk of the cost), but after Flagyl failed, I was glad that Vancomycin seems to have worked with no noticeable side effects."

8 / 10

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79 Report

Amf...
Taken for less than 1 month
October 18, 2022

"The hospital gave this drug to me when I was asleep when the hospital didn't know what I had. I woke up because I was having an allergic reaction to it, so I called the nurse twice. Three hours later, the nurse came in, and it was too late. The entire bag was given to me, and I got 'Red Man's Syndrome.' My entire body was bloated, and I was unrecognizable. Would not recommend."

1 / 10

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11 Report

Mar...
April 2, 2015

"As a last resort, I was placed on vancomycin every 12 hrs for 7 wks to treat a post-surgical MRSA staph infection. Thankfully, with the help of a home health agency, I was able to administer it at home. Initially, I didn't notice many side effects except feeling worn out. After 1 or 2 wks, tho my chest felt very tight, and taking breaths was painful. My nurse recommended Zantac for heartburn. Honestly, tho, a muscle relaxer worked better and took away those symptoms. Then, a few wks into treatment, I started getting bad dizzy spells. For that, my nurse recommended regular V8 juice to increase my sodium. That worked great! Overall, the side effects of the actual medicine weren't too bad compared to the benefits. By wk 6/7, the staph wounds mostly cleared up."

8 / 10

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28 Report

Frequently asked questions

cel...
September 20, 2008

"My doctors have used vancomycin successfully in two episodes of cellulitis. I was hospitalized both times, one year apart, and the first time, many drugs were not helping the staph-origin infection. I tested negative for MRSA, but the infection was ravenous. I did develop intense flushing when infusing over the 2-hour period. The last episode lasted 6 days, the first episode lasted 11 days. I highly recommend the involvement of a wound doctor and compression socks to heal."

8 / 10

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27 Report

Sam...
October 17, 2019

"I've just started taking this yesterday for C. diff. I hope it works, I am taking the liquid. I was getting it intravenously in the hospital for a couple of days, and they sent me home with the liquid. All I know right now is that it tastes like burnt tires. (NASTY)"

5 / 10

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10 Report

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Sun...
Taken for less than 1 month
April 17, 2021

"I received IV vancomycin during two separate inpatient hospital stays, first for a MRSA abscess, and once for a severe post-op infection. The second time I had it, I developed uncontrollable diarrhea, but I was also on Zosyn and Invanz. I consider it a necessary drug because it saved my life. Benefits outweigh the risks."

9 / 10

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7 Report

Jen...
Taken for less than 1 month
June 29, 2020

"Have been on vancomycin (IV usage) for a few days now. Started treatment in the hospital for a stubborn kidney infection after several other antibiotics didn’t work. Had fevers and chills for ten days prior to starting vancomycin. After just two days on it, the fever went away. I am on day four of treatment at home, but have diarrhea from it. The nurse told me to eat yogurt, and so I’ve started. Will see how it goes. But definitely feeling better from the infection!"

8 / 10

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8 Report

Anonymous
February 28, 2011

"I got this medication through my IV while in the hospital for an infection in my lymph nodes in my neck. My white count was down, and I felt a lot better after about 3 days! The only side effects I got were nausea and HORRIBLE heartburn (Pepto-Bismol cured this), but it was worth it!"

9 / 10

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19 Report

Jcs...
Taken for less than 1 month
February 26, 2023

"Been on vancomycin for a couple of days to treat chronic bacterial diarrhea caused by multiple uses of antibiotics for different ailments. Within an hour of taking it, I had to run to the toilet as it seemed to aggravate my gut, worsening my diarrhea. This continued during the night and into the next day. I've persisted with it as it's worth trying for a few days, but I don't think I can stomach much more. I will give it 2 more days and then speak to my GP. I have also had nausea and lower back pain. Everyone is different, though, as the other side effects listed in the info pack haven't affected me at all, but it has aggravated pre-existing conditions that I have."

6 / 10

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4 Report

COP...
Taken for less than 1 month
February 21, 2025

"Last year I was treated at home with numerous antibiotics. This time the doctor in the ER said my tests showed negative, but my vitals were 120 bpm and oxygen levels 88%, bp 130/90, and I looked sick. The doctor said that I must have a bacterial infection, and the nurses came in with 5 bags of IV and said they were treating me for sepsis and I had bacteria all over my body. After that, my attending physician came in and said that my COPD was irritated by pneumonia and bacterial infection, and he ordered vancomycin 1.25 g IV every 8 hours along with other antibiotics into my IV line. I had solid stool and everything was fine. Two days later I started feeling better, and I was out of the hospital in four days, three nights. He sent me home with 500 mg levofloxacin for 4 days and 20 mg prednisone 2x days, still sick! The pulmonologist called in 750 mg levofloxacin for 14 days and a prednisone pack for 5 days. No problem with vancomycin, and I should have taken it longer. But levofloxacin causes diarrhea and raw butt."

10 / 10

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Anonymous
May 17, 2011

"I had C. diff, and vancomycin worked great. I had been sick for over 4 months."

10 / 10

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60 Report

Anonymous
July 22, 2011

"We have been giving vancomycin 125 mg to our granddaughter for C. diff. She takes it without problems, but she has developed severe diarrhea with it."

7 / 10

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26 Report

hat...
December 28, 2011

"The medicine works, but the procedure is intravenous through a PICC line. And the side effects of headaches and stomach cramps because of diarrhea are really bad."

2 / 10

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21 Report

Peg...
Taken for less than 1 month
December 15, 2021

"My husband was on vancomycin for 2 days. He’s in renal failure, for me, the drug is dangerous."

3 / 10

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4 Report

Mik...
Taken for less than 1 month
June 15, 2023

"It stopped urination, and I had to use a catheter. I had a hip replacement, so the doctor said I had to take it. This is very short-term."

2 / 10

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2 Report

Jul...
Taken for less than 1 month
September 11, 2021

"Can I take Vancocin for a skin infection or bacterial infection?"

7 / 10

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0 Report

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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or remove inappropriate content. Reviews appearing to come from parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any medication and should not replace the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals.