skip to main content

What does it do?

Vancomycin is an antibiotic used to treat a bowel infection called Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile).

Before you start

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

How should you take it?

Take vancomycin regularly as directed. Keep taking it until the course is finished, even if you start to feel better. You can take it either with or without food.
Measure the liquid carefully with an oral syringe or measuring spoon. You can mix the liquid with juice immediately before drinking.

What if you forget a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as possible and continue as directed.

Can you take other medicines?

Tell your pharmacist or doctor about all medicines or treatments that you may be taking, including vitamins, herbal products or recreational drugs.

What side effects might you notice?

Side EffectsRecommended action

Nausea, vomiting

Unpleasant taste

Tell your doctor if troublesome

If you notice any other effects, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.

Other information:

  • Store vancomycin liquid as directed. Once the course is finished, take any leftover liquid back to your pharmacy.

This leaflet contains important, but not all, information about this medicine.

Prepared by the MyMedicines Committee at Christchurch Hospital, Te Whatu Ora - Waitaha, New Zealand. March 2023

For more general information about this sheet and its contents, see: What does a My Medicines sheet cover?

Web links for this sheet in different formats

Click on buttons to copy web addresses for this leaflet:

If your browser does not automatically copy these links use its copy command instead.

About My Medicines

My Medicines Patient Information Leaflets (PILs) contain important, but not all, information about the medicines they describe.

For more information about the sheets, see: What does a My Medicines sheet cover?

My Medicines is developed by a team at Te Whatu Ora – Waitaha. Our team is made up of doctors, pharmacists, and a non-medical person to help us keep to plain language. We also discuss our information with specialist health professionals or groups when needed