Finding a Doctor Who Can Prescribe Vancomycin

Vancomycin is a powerful glycopeptide antibiotic used to treat serious bacterial infections, including MRSA and Clostridioides difficile (C. diff). Unlike many common antibiotics, Vancomycin is not something you can get from a quick urgent care visit or a telehealth app. It requires a specific diagnosis, often lab work, and sometimes hospital-based administration.

If you or a loved one needs Vancomycin, this guide will walk you through the types of doctors who prescribe it, how to find one near you, and what to expect once you have your prescription.

What Type of Doctor Prescribes Vancomycin?

Vancomycin is typically prescribed by specialists or hospital-based physicians rather than primary care doctors. Here are the most common prescribing specialties:

• Infectious Disease Specialists — These are the most common outpatient prescribers of Vancomycin. If you have a complicated MRSA infection, endocarditis, or a recurring C. diff infection, you will likely see an ID specialist.
• Hospitalists and Internal Medicine Physicians — If you are admitted to the hospital, your hospitalist will often start IV Vancomycin for serious infections like sepsis or pneumonia.
• Gastroenterologists — For C. diff-associated diarrhea, a GI doctor may prescribe oral Vancomycin capsules or solution.
• Emergency Medicine Physicians — ER doctors can initiate Vancomycin treatment in acute situations, though follow-up care is typically handed off to a specialist.
• Surgeons and Orthopedic Specialists — Vancomycin may be prescribed for surgical prophylaxis or prosthetic joint infections.
• Nephrologists — Patients on dialysis who develop infections may receive Vancomycin from their nephrologist.
• Critical Care and Pulmonology — For patients in the ICU with serious infections.

In most cases, you will need a referral to one of these specialists. Your primary care doctor is the best starting point.

How to Find a Provider Near You

Once you know which type of specialist you need, here are several ways to find one:

1. Use Your Insurance Provider Directory

Start with your insurance company's online directory. Log into your insurance portal or call the number on the back of your card. Search for "infectious disease" or the relevant specialty in your ZIP code. This ensures the doctor is in-network, which will save you money.

2. Ask Your Primary Care Doctor for a Referral

Your primary care physician (PCP) likely already knows which specialists in your area prescribe Vancomycin regularly. A referral from your PCP also helps with insurance authorization — many plans require one before you can see a specialist.

3. Search on Zocdoc or Healthgrades

Websites like Zocdoc, Healthgrades, and Vitals let you search for specialists by location, insurance, and availability. Search for infectious disease doctors or gastroenterologists (for C. diff) near you.

4. Contact Your Local Hospital

Many hospitals have physician referral lines. Call the main hospital number and ask to be connected to their referral service. They can help you find an infectious disease specialist or other relevant doctor on staff.

5. What About Telehealth?

Vancomycin is generally not available via telehealth. Because it often requires lab monitoring (blood levels, kidney function tests) and sometimes IV administration, most telehealth platforms cannot prescribe it. You will need an in-person appointment for initial evaluation and ongoing monitoring.

What to Expect at Your Appointment

When you see a doctor about a possible Vancomycin prescription, here is what to expect:

• Medical history review — Your doctor will ask about your infection history, previous antibiotic use, allergies, and kidney function.
• Lab work — Expect blood tests including a complete blood count (CBC), kidney function panel (BUN/creatinine), and possibly blood cultures or stool testing for C. diff.
• Discussion of treatment options — Your doctor will explain why Vancomycin is recommended over other antibiotics and discuss the route of administration (oral vs. IV).
• Monitoring plan — If you are prescribed IV Vancomycin, your doctor will set up a schedule for monitoring trough levels and kidney function. For oral Vancomycin, monitoring is less intensive but still important.

Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you are currently taking. Vancomycin can interact with several drugs, including Aminoglycosides, Amphotericin B, and Piperacillin-Tazobactam.

After You Get Your Prescription

Once your doctor writes the prescription, you will need to fill it at a pharmacy. Here are some tips:

For Oral Vancomycin (Capsules or Solution)

Oral Vancomycin is available as generic capsules (125 mg and 250 mg) or as the brand-name oral solution Firvanq. Generic oral capsules can cost as little as $39 to $120 with a coupon, though brand-name prices can be much higher — up to $4,469 without insurance.

Use tools like Medfinder to check pharmacy stock and compare prices. You can also read our guide on how to save money on Vancomycin for coupons and discount options.

For IV Vancomycin

IV Vancomycin is almost always administered in a hospital, infusion center, or through a home infusion service. Your doctor's office will typically arrange this for you. Be aware that IV Vancomycin has been in an active shortage since 2023, so there may be delays.

Finding a Pharmacy with Stock

If you need oral Vancomycin, some pharmacies may not have it readily available. Check out our guide on how to check if a pharmacy has Vancomycin in stock without calling around.

Final Thoughts

Finding a doctor who can prescribe Vancomycin starts with understanding which specialist you need. For most patients, that means an infectious disease specialist, a gastroenterologist for C. diff, or a hospitalist for inpatient care. Use your insurance directory, ask your PCP for a referral, and prepare for lab work and monitoring.

If you are struggling to find Vancomycin at your pharmacy after getting your prescription, Medfinder can help you locate it in stock near you.