When You Can't Find Vancomycin, There May Be Other Options

Being told your pharmacy doesn't have Vancomycin is stressful — especially when you're dealing with a serious bacterial infection. But before you panic, know this: depending on your condition, your doctor may be able to prescribe an alternative medication that works just as well.

In this post, we'll explain what Vancomycin is, how it works, and walk you through several real alternatives your doctor might consider. Important: Never switch or stop antibiotics on your own. Always talk to your doctor before making any changes to your treatment.

What Is Vancomycin?

Vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic that has been used since the 1950s to treat serious infections caused by gram-positive bacteria. It's one of the most important antibiotics in modern medicine, often called a "drug of last resort" for infections that don't respond to other treatments.

Vancomycin is FDA-approved to treat:

• C. diff infections (Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea) — oral form
• MRSA infections (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) — IV form
• Endocarditis (heart valve infections) — IV form
• Staphylococcal septicemia, bone infections, and skin infections — IV form

For a complete overview, see our guide on what Vancomycin is, its uses, and dosage.

How Does Vancomycin Work?

Vancomycin kills bacteria by blocking cell wall synthesis. Specifically, it binds to a building block called D-alanyl-D-alanine on the bacterial cell wall, preventing the cell from constructing a strong outer layer. Without a functioning cell wall, the bacteria break apart and die.

This mechanism makes Vancomycin effective against a wide range of gram-positive organisms, but it does not work against gram-negative bacteria. For more on this topic, read how Vancomycin works: mechanism of action explained.

Alternatives to Vancomycin

The right alternative depends entirely on what infection you're treating. Here are the most common substitutes doctors consider:

1. Fidaxomicin (Dificid) — For C. Diff Infections

If you were prescribed oral Vancomycin for a C. difficile infection, Fidaxomicin is often the top alternative — and in many cases, it may actually be the preferred choice.

• How it works: Fidaxomicin is a macrocyclic antibiotic that kills C. diff bacteria while causing less disruption to the rest of your gut flora
• Why doctors like it: Studies show Fidaxomicin has lower recurrence rates than Vancomycin for C. diff
• Form: Oral tablets (200 mg twice daily for 10 days)
• Downside: Fidaxomicin is expensive — the cash price can exceed $3,000 for a course of treatment. However, manufacturer copay programs and insurance may help reduce costs

2. Linezolid (Zyvox) — For MRSA and Resistant Infections

If you need Vancomycin IV for an MRSA infection, Linezolid is a common alternative, especially for:

• MRSA pneumonia (where Linezolid may actually be preferred)
• Skin and soft tissue infections
• Infections in patients with kidney problems (Linezolid is not nephrotoxic)

• How it works: Linezolid is an oxazolidinone antibiotic that blocks bacterial protein synthesis
• Advantage: Available in both oral and IV forms, so patients can switch from IV to oral treatment
• Downside: Can cause low platelet counts and should not be used long-term without monitoring. Also interacts with serotonergic medications

3. Daptomycin (Cubicin) — For Bloodstream and Skin Infections

Daptomycin is another important alternative to IV Vancomycin, particularly for:

• MRSA bloodstream infections (bacteremia)
• Complicated skin and soft tissue infections
• Right-sided endocarditis

• How it works: Daptomycin is a cyclic lipopeptide that disrupts the bacterial cell membrane
• Advantage: Once-daily IV dosing, effective against many Vancomycin-resistant organisms
• Downside: IV only (no oral form), and it cannot be used for pneumonia because lung surfactant inactivates it

4. Telavancin (Vibativ) — For Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia

Telavancin is a newer lipoglycopeptide antibiotic that is chemically related to Vancomycin.

• Used for: Hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia caused by MRSA, and complicated skin infections
• How it works: Dual mechanism — inhibits cell wall synthesis and disrupts the cell membrane
• Downside: IV only, risk of kidney toxicity, and not widely used outside of hospital settings

How to Talk to Your Doctor About Alternatives

If you can't find Vancomycin, here's what to bring up with your prescriber:

1. Explain the situation: Tell them which pharmacies you've tried and that Vancomycin is unavailable
2. Ask specifically: "Is there an alternative antibiotic that would work for my infection?"
3. Discuss cost: Some alternatives like Fidaxomicin are expensive. Ask about insurance coverage and savings programs
4. Get guidance on timing: Antibiotic infections are time-sensitive. Your doctor can help you decide whether to keep searching for Vancomycin or switch now

You can also use Medfinder to check availability — it's possible another pharmacy near you still has Vancomycin in stock.

Final Thoughts

Not being able to fill a Vancomycin prescription is concerning, but you have options. Fidaxomicin, Linezolid, Daptomycin, and Telavancin are all proven alternatives depending on your infection type. The most important thing is to act quickly — talk to your doctor right away if you can't find your medication.

For more help locating Vancomycin, read our guide on how to find Vancomycin in stock near you. And to understand the bigger picture, check out our Vancomycin shortage update for 2026.