What are the primary uses and major adverse effects of vancomycin?

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Multiple Choice

What are the primary uses and major adverse effects of vancomycin?

Vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic that inhibits cell wall synthesis in Gram-positive bacteria, making it a key choice for MRSA and other serious Gram-positive infections when beta-lactams aren’t suitable. It isn’t active against most Gram-negative bacteria because of the outer-membrane barrier, and the oral form is used mainly for Clostridioides difficile colitis, not dental caries. Major adverse effects to watch for include nephrotoxicity, especially with other nephrotoxic drugs or high troughs, and infusion-related reactions such as red man syndrome if given too rapidly IV. Ototoxicity is possible but less common. Trough level monitoring helps ensure therapeutic exposure while minimizing toxicity, and slowing the IV infusion reduces the risk of red man syndrome.

Vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic that inhibits cell wall synthesis in Gram-positive bacteria, making it a key choice for MRSA and other serious Gram-positive infections when beta-lactams aren’t suitable. It isn’t active against most Gram-negative bacteria because of the outer-membrane barrier, and the oral form is used mainly for Clostridioides difficile colitis, not dental caries. Major adverse effects to watch for include nephrotoxicity, especially with other nephrotoxic drugs or high troughs, and infusion-related reactions such as red man syndrome if given too rapidly IV. Ototoxicity is possible but less common. Trough level monitoring helps ensure therapeutic exposure while minimizing toxicity, and slowing the IV infusion reduces the risk of red man syndrome.

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