Lyphocin Side Effects
Generic name: vancomycin
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 9, 2024.
Note: This document contains side effect information about vancomycin. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Lyphocin.
Applies to vancomycin: intravenous powder for solution, intravenous solution. Other dosage forms:
Serious side effects of Lyphocin
Along with its needed effects, vancomycin (the active ingredient contained in Lyphocin) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking vancomycin:
Rare
- Black, tarry stools
- bleeding gums
- blood in the urine or stools
- continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
- cough or hoarseness
- dizziness or lightheadedness
- feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
- feeling of fullness in the ears
- fever with or without chills
- general feeling of tiredness or weakness
- hearing loss
- loss of balance
- lower back or side pain
- painful or difficult urination
- pale skin
- pinpoint red spots on the skin
- ringing or buzzing in the ears
- sensation of spinning
- sore throat
- sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
- trouble in hearing
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Incidence not known
- Abdominal or stomach cramps or tenderness
- back pain
- blistering, peeling, loosening of the skin
- bloating
- bluish color
- blurred vision
- change in frequency of urination or amount of urine
- changes in skin color
- chest pain
- chest tightness
- confusion
- cracks in the skin
- diarrhea, watery and severe, which may also be bloody
- difficulty with swallowing
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- drowsiness
- fast heartbeat
- flushing
- headache
- hives, itching, or skin rash
- increased thirst
- joint or muscle pain
- loss of appetite
- loss of heat from the body
- nausea or vomiting
- pain, tenderness, or swelling of the foot or leg
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- red skin lesions, often with a purple center
- red, irritated eyes
- red, swollen skin
- redness, soreness, or itching skin
- scaly skin
- sores, welting, or blisters
- sweating
- swelling of the feet or lower legs
- swollen glands
- unusual weight loss
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to vancomycin: compounding powder, intravenous powder for injection, intravenous solution, oral capsule, oral powder for reconstitution, oral solution.
General
The most commonly reported side effects include nausea, abdominal pain, and hypokalemia.[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Very common (10% or more): Nausea (up to 17%), abdominal pain (up to 15%)
Common (1% to 10%): Vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Mild gastrointestinal tract disturbances
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Pseudomembranous enterocolitis/colitis
Frequency not reported: Chemical peritonitis, constipation, indigestion, stomachache[Ref]
Chemical peritonitis occurred with intraperitoneal administration.
Mild gastrointestinal tract disturbances occurred with oral administration.[Ref]
Metabolic
Very common (10% or more): Hypokalemia (up to 13%)[Ref]
Dermatologic
Common (1% to 10%): Exanthema, pruritus, vancomycin (the active ingredient contained in Lyphocin) infusion reaction, redness of the face/upper arms, urticaria
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Erythema, itch
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Toxic epidermal necrolysis
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Exfoliative dermatitis, linear IgA bullous dermatosis, Lyell's syndrome, Stevens-Johnson syndrome
Frequency not reported: Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), erythematous macular rash with intense pruritus over face/neck/upper body, rash, red neck[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Common (1% to 10%): Decrease in blood pressure, flushing of the upper body, peripheral edema, phlebitis
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Thrombophlebitis
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Vasculitis
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Cardiac arrest
Frequency not reported: Bradycardia, cardiogenic shock, generalized flushing, hypotension, palpitations, substernal pressure, tachycardia
Postmarketing reports: Chest pain[Ref]
Hypotension, bradycardia, cardiogenic shock, and cardiac arrest have occurred with rapid bolus administration.[Ref]
Renal
Common (1% to 10%): Increased serum creatinine, increased serum urea, nephrotoxicity, renal insufficiency
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Acute renal failure, interstitial nephritis
Frequency not reported: Acute kidney injury, Acute tubular necrosis, azotemia, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations increased, uremia, transient increased urea[Ref]
Renal failure was most commonly characterized by increased serum creatinine levels or BUN concentrations.
Azotemia usually resolved upon discontinuation of treatment.[Ref]
Other
Common (1% to 10%): Fatigue, mucosal inflammation, pyrexia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Chills, fever, pain, permanent hearing loss, transient hearing loss
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Drug fever, ototoxicity, rigors, shivering, tinnitus[Ref]
Respiratory
Common (1% to 10%): Dyspnea, stridor
Frequency not reported: Wheezing[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Common (1% to 10%): Back pain
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Back and chest muscle pain and spasm[Ref]
Nervous system
Common (1% to 10%): Headache
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Dizziness, vertigo[Ref]
Genitourinary
Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection
Frequency not reported: Granular urinary casts[Ref]
Hematologic
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Eosinophilia,
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Agranulocytosis, leukopenia, pancytopenia, reversible agranulocytosis, reversible neutropenia, thrombocytopenia
Frequency not reported: Anemia[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Anaphylactic reactions, anaphylaxis, hypersensitivity reactions
Frequency not reported: Anaphylactoid reaction[Ref]
Immunologic
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Superinfection
Frequency not reported: Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), non-susceptible organism overgrowth[Ref]
Local
Frequency not reported: Injection site inflammation, injection site pruritus, necrosis, tissue irritation[Ref]
Ocular
Frequency not reported: Hemorrhagic occlusive retinal vasculitis (HORV), permanent vision loss[Ref]
HORV occurred in patients given this drug via intracameral or intravitreal route during/after cataract surgery.[Ref]
Psychiatric
Frequency not reported: Depression, insomnia[Ref]
Hepatic
Frequency not reported: Transaminase elevations[Ref]
Frequently asked questions
- Can you drink alcohol while taking vancomycin?
- What is the difference between Firvanq and the CutisPharma FIRST-Vancomycin Compounding Kit?
More about Lyphocin (vancomycin)
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Latest FDA alerts (6)
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: glycopeptide antibiotics
- Breastfeeding
Patient resources
Other brands
Vancocin, Firvanq, Vancocin HCl, Vancocin HCl Pulvules
Professional resources
Other brands
Related treatment guides
References
1. (2001) "Product Information. Vancocin (vancomycin)." Lilly, Eli and Company
2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
4. Infectious Diseases Society of America (2021) Position on Terminology for Vancomycin Flushing Reactions. https://www.hivma.org/globalassets/idsa/public-health/covid-19/vanc-flushing-syndrome-idsa-position-statement.pdf
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.