LymeNet Flash: Vancocin

This is topic Vancocin in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by robi (Member # 5547) on :

Has anyone taken this???

I have been prescribed a short course of this.......wondering what to expect.

robi

Posted by hwlatin (Member # 4123) on :

I am assuming you mean vancomycin. I was on this drug for a Staf infection and C-Dif infection, I was on IV for 2 months and oral for 6 it did very little for me in terms of the Lyme.

My concern about using this drug for Lyme is that it is one of the Last line of defenses antibiotic wise. For that reason it would not be my first choice. Every person is different but I had much better results with other antibiotics.

I would question your doctor about what are the possible issues using this drug for Lyme.

[This message has been edited by hwlatin (edited 28 April 2005).]

Posted by robi (Member # 5547) on :

Yes, it is vancomycin in IV form and Vancocin in capsule form. I thin kshe thinks I might need it for a c.diff infection. I would be taking the capsule form only.

"My concern about using this drug for Lyme is that it is one of the Last line of defenses antibiotic wise."

So is the concern resistance??

Posted by duramater (Member # 6480) on :

If you are taking vanco orally, there is no worry about resistance. Very little is absorbed systemically, most of it stays in the gut. It works terrifically for C. diff.

IV vanco, the only form that works systemically is another story. It is considered the "antibiotic of last resort" because there are some bugs out there that can only be killed by vanco. More frighteningly, there are a few bugs that even vanco can't kill.

I've used oral vanco many many times (I'm the breeding ground of C. diff bugs). As I said previously, it doesn't really go past the gut, thus, ZIPPO effect on Lyme.

I've also used IV vanco for two months back in the early 90's for Lyme. Worked great. Went from unable to walk with horrid cardiac and neuro symptoms back to grad school. I have many drug allergies however and don't have many options for antibiotics. If you can take standard penicillin and cephalosporin derivatives, I would stick with that and leave IV vanco for the bugs that nothing else can kill.

Hope your C. Diff clears up in a jiffy with the oral vanco. Only once did I get a recurrence of the C. diff after vanco, and another 14 day course did the trick.

It is EXPENSIVE!!!! If you pay out of pocket, you can get the IV vanco powder, mix it with water, and drink it. It tastes horrid, but its much cheaper than the capsules.

Posted by lymeinhell (Member # 4622) on :

Oh man - C Diff!! I feel for ya!!

Although I was put on Flagyl for it and it worked fine.

Feel better.

------------------
Julie G.
___________
lymeinhell

Posted by hwlatin (Member # 4123) on :

My oral Vancomycin was for C-Diff and was after a 30 day Flagyl course. I needed Vanco to get rid of the C-diff infection and Durameter is correct in the difference between oral and IV. My concern was usin IV Vanco and yes resistance is a possible issue.

By the way if you are taking any proton pump inhibators with you antibiotics, increases your chance for getting a C-diff infection. Just a warning.

[This message has been edited by hwlatin (edited 28 April 2005).]

Posted by robi (Member # 5547) on :

I am testing for c.diff.....not sure I have it.

Thanks for all the great info and support.

One more thing........ does vancocin caps have the same risk for hearing loss as the IV?

robi

Posted by Mo (Member # 2863) on :

Do you mean Gentimycin re: hearing loss?

Or does Vanco have that caution as well?

Posted by robi (Member # 5547) on :

vanco has caution as well but not sure if it is for IV form only or ir tablet form has same cautions.......