VANCOMYCIN JUNO
Active ingredient(s): vancomycin hydrochloride
Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using VANCOMYCIN JUNO. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information or if you have any concerns or questions about using VANCOMYCIN JUNO.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I using VANCOMYCIN JUNO?
2. What should I know before I use VANCOMYCIN JUNO?
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
4. How do I use VANCOMYCIN JUNO?
5. What should I know while using VANCOMYCIN JUNO?
6. Are there any side effects?
7. Product details
1. Why am I using VANCOMYCIN JUNO?
VANCOMYCIN JUNO contains the active ingredient vancomycin hydrochloride. Vancomycin is an antibiotic. It works by killing the bacteria causing the infection.
VANCOMYCIN JUNO is used:
- to treat serious infections caused by bacteria (germs).
These infections may occur in different parts of the body. - orally, to treat serious infections involving the bowel.
2. What should I know before I use VANCOMYCIN JUNO?
Warnings
Do not use VANCOMYCIN JUNO if:
- you are allergic to vancomycin or similar antibiotics e.g. teicoplanin
- you are allergic to any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
Check with your doctor if you:
- you are allergic to any other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives
- have any other medical conditions, in particular kidney or liver disease or inflammatory bowel disorders, or if you have suffered from hearing loss
- take any medicines for any other condition.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information under Section 6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Your doctor can discuss with you the benefits and risks involved.
Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed. Vancomycin is not recommended for use while breastfeeding as it is found in breast milk.
Elderly patients or patients with pre-existing kidney disease
Elderly patients or those with a pre-existing kidney condition may be more sensitive to the effects or side effects of this medicine.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
These include:
- some other medicines used to treat infections, such as amikacin, amphotericin, bacitracin, colistin, piperacillin/tazobactam, gentamicin, neomycin and tobramycin
- cisplatin, an anticancer medicine
- some fluid tablets (diuretics), such as etacrynic acid and furosemide (frusemide)
- anaesthetic agents
- cholestyramine, a powder taken to lower cholesterol levels
- suxamethonium or vecuronium, medicines used to relax muscles.
Some medicines may affect the way other medicines work.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins or supplements you are taking and if these could affect vancomycin.
4. How do I use VANCOMYCIN JUNO?
How much to take / use
- Your doctor will decide what dose of Vancomycin JUNO you will be given, depending on your infection and other factors such as your age and weight.
- If given orally, the dose for adults is 500 mg to 2 g given in 3 or 4 divided doses for 7 to 10 days. The total daily dosage in children is 40 mg/kg of body weight in 3 or 4 divided doses. The total dose for children should not exceed 2 grams per day.
- Your doctor will decide for how long you will be given this medicine. This will depend on the severity of the infection being treated.
When to take / use VANCOMYCIN JUNO
For most infections, Vancomycin JUNO is usually given in divided doses throughout the day.
How to use VANCOMYCIN JUNO
Intravenously
Vancomycin JUNO is a sterile powder which is dissolved and diluted with suitable sterile fluids. It is given as a slow injection into a vein, known as a continuous infusion or a ‘drip’.
It will take at least 60 minutes for the solution containing your dose of Vancomycin JUNO to be infused into your vein.
Your doctor or nurse will prepare the infusion of Vancomycin JUNO for you.
Orally
Vancomycin JUNO may also be given as an oral solution to treat serious infections involving the bowel.
Your doctor or pharmacist may use flavouring to improve the taste of the solution.
If you use too much VANCOMYCIN JUNO
As VANCOMYCIN JUNO is given to you in hospital under the supervision of your doctor, it is very unlikely that you will receive an overdose. Symptoms of a dopamine overdose include the effects listed below in the ‘Side Effects’ section but are usually of a more severe nature.
5. What should I know while using VANCOMYCIN JUNO?
Things you should do
Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using vancomycin.
Things you should not do
Do not take any anti-diarrhoeal medicine without first checking with your doctor.
Driving or using machines
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how VANCOMYCIN JUNO affects you.
Vancomycin may cause dizziness in some people. If this occurs, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous. If you drink alcohol, dizziness may be worse.
Drinking alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Alcohol may increase the side effects of some medicines.
Looking after your medicine
VANCOMYCIN JUNO will be stored in the pharmacy or on the ward. The injection is kept in a cool dry place, protected from light, where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
Any unwanted medicine will be disposed of in a safe manner by your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you have any further questions about side effects.
Less serious side effects
| Less serious side effects | What to do |
|
Speak to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects and they worry you. |
Serious side effects
| Serious side effects | What to do |
|
Call your doctor or nurse straight away if you notice any of these serious side effects. |
Side effects after treatment
| Side effects after treatment | What to do |
|
Tell your doctor immediately, particularly if these occur several weeks after stopping treatment. |
Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop taking any of your medicines.
7. Product details
This medicine is only available with a doctor’s prescription.
What VANCOMYCIN JUNO contains
| Active ingredient (main ingredient) |
Vancomycin hydrochloride |
| Other ingredients (inactive ingredients) |
Sodium hydroxide or hydrochloric acid |
| Potential allergens | VANCOMYCIN JUNO does not contain lactose, sucrose, tartrazine or any other azo dyes. |
Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What VANCOMYCIN JUNO looks like
Vancomycin JUNO is available in two strengths:
- 500 mg (Aust R 330501)
- 1 g (Aust R 330502)
It is an almost white to light pink powder in a glass vial with a rubber stopper.
Who distributes VANCOMYCIN JUNO
Juno Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd
42 Kelso St
Cremorne VIC 3121
This leaflet was prepared in November 2021.
