Teicoplanin

Teicoplanin is an antibiotic used in the treatment of severe bacterial infections in hospitalized patients. It is effective against infections of the respiratory tract (eg. pneumonia), urinary tract, skin and soft tissues, bones and joints, heart, blood, and others.

Teicoplanin works by stopping the growth of bacteria and is useful for treating adults as well as children. It is a narrow-spectrum antibiotic that only covers the gram-positive type of bacteria. This medicine is given by drip or by direct injection into a vein, under the supervision of a healthcare professional. It may also be combined with other antibiotics to treat additional types of bacteria.

Some people may develop local injection site reactions like pain, swelling, redness. However, this is usually minor and temporary. Other side effects like fever, itching, and skin rash may be seen occasionally. Monitoring with regular kidney function tests may be needed while you are being treated with this medication. Inform your doctor if you have a history of an allergic reaction to this medication in the past. Use caution while driving or doing anything that requires concentration as it may cause dizziness and headaches. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking this medicine.

• Severe bacterial infections

Severe bacterial infections
Teicoplanin works by killing bacteria which can cause serious infections. It is used to treat many different types of bacterial infections such as infections of the lungs (pneumonia) and urinary tract. It is given by a doctor or nurse into a vein and should not be self-administered. Teicoplanin usually makes you feel better very quickly but you should continue taking it as prescribed even when you feel better to make sure that all bacteria are killed and do not become resistant.

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Tecom

• Injection site reactions (pain, swelling, redness)
• Fever
• Itching
• Skin rash

Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.

Teicoplanin is an antibiotic. It kills bacteria by preventing them from forming the bacterial protective covering (cell wall) which is needed for them to survive.

• Teicoplanin is used for treating serious bacterial infections, which cannot be treated with other antibiotics like penicillins and cephalosporins.

• Finish the prescribed course, even if you start to feel better. Stopping it early may make the infection come back and harder to treat.

• It is given by an injection or drip into a vein or into a muscle.

• Use caution while driving or doing anything that requires concentration as it can cause dizziness and headaches.

• Do not take Teicoplanin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

MacDougall C, Chambers HF. Protein Synthesis Inhibitors and Miscellaneous Antibacterial Agents. In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 12th ed. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. pp. 1539-42.

Chambers HF, Deck DH. Beta-Lactam and Other Cell Wall- & Membrane-Active Antibiotics. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. p. 787.

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