Vancomycin (Viatris)™

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Vancomycin Hydrochloride for Intravenous Infusion is indicated for potentially life threatening infections which cannot be treated with another effective, less toxic antimicrobial medicine, including the penicillins and cephalosporins. Vancomycin is useful in therapy of severe staphylococcal (including methicillin-resistant staphylococcal) infections in patients who cannot receive or who have failed to respond to the penicillins and cephalosporins or who have infections with staphylococci that are resistant to other antibiotics. Once sensitivity data are available, therapy should be adjusted accordingly. Vancomycin is effective alone or in combination with an aminoglycoside for endocarditis caused by Strep. viridans or Strep. bovis. For endocarditis caused by enterococci (eg Enterococcus faecalis), vancomycin is effective only in combination with an aminoglycoside. Vancomycin is effective for the treatment of diphtheroid endocarditis. Vancomycin is used in combination with rifampicin, an aminoglycoside, or both in early onset prosthetic valve endocarditis caused by Staph. epidermidis or diphtheroids. The effectiveness of vancomycin has been documented in other infections due to staphylococci including osteomyelitis, pneumonia, septicaemia and, skin and skin structure infections. When staphylococcal infections are localised and purulent, antibiotics are used as adjuncts to appropriate surgical measures. Specimens for bacteriological cultures should be obtained in order to isolate and identify causative organisms and to determine their susceptibilities to vancomycin. Vancomycin should be administered orally for the treatment of staphylococcal enterocolitis and antibiotic associated pseudomembranous colitis (produced by C. difficile). Parenteral administration of vancomycin alone is inappropriate for this indication. Vancomycin is not effective by the oral route for other types of infections. For oral administration the parenteral formulation may be used. Some systemic absorption may occur following oral administration in patients with pseudomembranous colitis.

Source: ARTG

• Shelf lifetime is 3 Years
• Store below 25 degrees Celsius
• Protect from Light; Store in Original Container

Source: ARTG

Non-composite pack

This medicine contains one component only.

Component

• Injection, powder for
• Oral
• Off white to light tan colored lyophilized plug or powder

Source: ARTG

These medicine packs are available from a pharmacist and requires a prescription. It is Schedule 4: Prescription Only Medicine.?What is the medicines and poisons schedule?

All medicines and poisons in Australia are categorised by how they are made available to the public. Medicines with a low safety risk are usually less tightly controlled than medicines with a higher safety risk. This system is called ‘scheduling’. You can read more about the scheduling of medicines as well as the different scheduling categories on our Scheduling of medicines and poisons information page.

• 1 Vial
• 10 Vials

Source: ARTG

This medicine was verified as available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) on 1 August 2026, under the following PBS item codes:

• 2269K (Opens in new tab)
• 2270L (Opens in new tab)
• 5083M (Opens in new tab)
• 14704X (Opens in new tab)

Ask your pharmacist or doctor about your eligibility

Source: PBS

For the active ingredient: Vancomycin

You should seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist about taking this medicine. They can help you balance the risks and the benefits of this medicine during pregnancy.

Source: AHT

If you experience a side effect from this medicine, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Or report it directly to the TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration).

You can report side effects to your doctor, or directly at Report an adverse event or safety problem (Opens in new tab)

Source: ARTG

Healthdirect medicines information is not intended for use in an emergency. If you are suffering an acute illness, overdose, or emergency condition, call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.

Reasonable care has been taken to provide accurate information at the time of creation. This information is not intended to substitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be exclusively relied on to manage or diagnose a medical condition. Please refer to our terms and conditions (Opens in new tab).