Vancomycin and Diarrhea: What Users Say

• Cla...
• December 16, 2021

For Clostridioides difficile Infection "Underwent three 10-day dosages that were spaced too far apart. Second dosage should have been sooner after the first and should have been continued for at least 2 weeks, if not longer. Testing should have been done before vancomycin was discontinued. Still have diarrhea. No closer to a cure. Need another antibiotic, but what?"

• Fat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2015

For Clostridioides difficile Infection "I have given this to my mother, 2 courses (2x15 days) after a C. diff infection. Besides it being so expensive (C$540), it made the diarrhea symptoms go away for the duration of the course, then they came back again! So disappointed, Dr. Now indicated that the third course may be on the way."

• Spi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 20, 2023

For Clostridioides difficile Infection "I had a nasty reaction to this medication. I experienced strong pain down the left side of my body, bad sores along my gums and the roof of my mouth, dry skin that was peeling, nausea, and diarrhea. My potassium level was also significantly low. My doctor did not believe that these side effects were related to the medication and left me on it for two more days. I have stopped taking it now, and within 24 hours, the side effects subsided, and my lab numbers improved."

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

For Bacterial Infection "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."

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

For Bacterial Infection "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!"

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 25, 2015

Vancomycin for Meningitis "I was on IV Vanc for various different things (pneumonia, meningitis, and shunt infections) in the last 8 years. It helped clear up the problems but did make me very sick (vomiting) and diarrhea, but was nothing compared to the original problems! Very strong A/B but very powerful also."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 21, 2024

For Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Infection "Have had 6 bones removed from feet from MRSA treated with vancomycin. I can still walk. Trick to stomach pain from antibiotics is to take a probiotic an hour or two after running or taking the antibiotic. Florastor or Align 5x (not reg) are best, IMHO. No diarrhea or stomach pain. Don't let a doctor tell you otherwise. They seem to not teach this in medical school. Bring it with you."

• Gra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 13, 2024

For Clostridioides difficile Infection "I was prescribed 125 mg of vancomycin for C. diff. It was misdiagnosed at first, although it would’ve helped if the doctor had tested me. Switched doctors, tested right away. First day, it slowed my diarrhea down, plus I just felt better. Afterwards, it all went downhill. Lots of gas and diarrhea, pain and tenderness in the abdomen. I’m in the bathroom nonstop. I have had two days where it’s tolerable. I have 3.5 days left, and I pray these antibiotic side effects go away and the infection is gone."

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

For Bacterial Infection "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."

• Unf...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 16, 2018

For Clostridioides difficile Infection "Side effects: gas and watery stool."

• Anonymous
• July 22, 2011

For Bacterial Infection "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."

• hat...
• December 28, 2011

For Bacterial Infection "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."