Drug Notes

Telavancin (By injection)

Telavancin (tel-a-VAN-sin)

Treats infections.

Brand Name(s):

Vibativ

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein. This medicine needs to be given slowly, so the needle will stay in place for about an hour.
• A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• You should not receive this medicine if you are also receiving heparin injections.
• Some medicines can affect how telavancin works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
  • Blood pressure medicines
  • Diuretics (water pills)
  • NSAID pain or arthritis medicine (such as aspirin, celecoxib, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen)

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, heart failure, diabetes, high blood pressure, or a history of heart rhythm problems. Tell your doctor if you had an allergic reaction to vancomycin.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Kidney problems
  • Infusion reactions
  • Heart rhythm problems
• This medicine can cause diarrhea. Call your doctor if the diarrhea becomes severe, does not stop, or is bloody. Do not take any medicine to stop diarrhea until you have talked to your doctor. Diarrhea can occur 2 months or more after you stop taking this medicine.
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Change in how much or how often you urinate, red or dark brown urine
• Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat, fainting, dizziness
• Rash or flushing of the face, neck, upper body, back, and arms
• Severe diarrhea that may contain blood, stomach cramps
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Bad or unpleasant taste in your mouth
• Foamy urine
• Mild diarrhea, nausea, vomiting

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 1/27/2017