Telavancin
Generic name: telavancin [ TEL-a-VAN-sin ]
Brand name: Vibativ
Dosage form: intravenous powder for injection (750 mg)
Drug class:Glycopeptide antibiotics
What is telavancin?
Telavancin is an antibiotic that is used to treat severe skin infections caused by bacteria.
Telavancin is also used to treat pneumonia in a hospital setting, or pneumonia that can develop while using a ventilator (artificial breathing machine).
Telavancin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
Certain people may be at greater risk of death from using televancin compared with another antibiotic called vancomycin, especially people with kidney problems who use telavancin for pneumonia that can develop while in a hospital.
Tell your doctor if you have a history of kidney problems. Your kidney function will need to be checked before, during and after treatment with telavancin.
You may not be able to use telavancin if you are pregnant. In animal studies, telavancin caused birth defects. You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use telavancin if you are allergic to telavancin, or if you are also using a certain type of heparin.
Certain people may be at greater risk of death from using televancin compared with another antibiotic called vancomycin. This risk has been highest in people with pre-existing kidney problems who use telavancin to treat pneumonia they had developed while in a hospital.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
kidney problems;
diabetes;
heart disease, high blood pressure;
long QT syndrome (in you or a family member);
if you are allergic to vancomycin; or
if you have routine "INR" or prothrombin time tests.
If you are able to become pregnant, you may need a pregnancy test before you start using telavancin. You are considered able to become pregnant unless you have ovarian failure, have had a tubal ligation or hysterectomy, or have been in menopause or not had a menstrual period in 2 years.
You may not be able to use this medicine if you are pregnant. In animal studies, telavancin caused birth defects. However, it is not known whether these effects would occur in humans. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy...
