Vancomycin Is a Glycopeptide Antibiotic Used to Treat Serious Bacterial Infections Including MRSA and C. Diff

Vancomycin is one of the most important antibiotics in modern medicine. It is often called a "drug of last resort" for infections that do not respond to other antibiotics. If your doctor has prescribed Vancomycin — or you are just learning about it — this guide covers everything you need to know in plain language.

What Is Vancomycin?

Vancomycin (brand names: Vancocin, Firvanq) is a glycopeptide antibiotic that kills gram-positive bacteria by preventing them from building cell walls. It was first approved by the FDA in the late 1950s and remains essential today, especially for drug-resistant infections.

Key facts:

• Generic name: Vancomycin Hydrochloride
• Brand names: Vancocin (capsules), Firvanq (oral solution)
• Drug class: Glycopeptide antibiotic
• Manufacturers: Multiple generic manufacturers including Pfizer/Hospira, Fresenius Kabi, Hikma, Xellia, Baxter, and Azurity Pharmaceuticals (Firvanq)
• Controlled substance: No — Vancomycin is not a controlled substance
• Generic available: Yes

What Is Vancomycin Used For?

Vancomycin is FDA-approved for several serious infections:

Oral Vancomycin (Capsules or Solution)

• Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection — This is the most common reason oral Vancomycin is prescribed. C. diff causes severe diarrhea and can be life-threatening.
• Staphylococcal enterocolitis — A staph infection of the intestines.
• Pseudomembranous colitis — Inflammation of the colon, often caused by antibiotic use.

IV Vancomycin (Intravenous)

• MRSA infections — Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections of the blood, skin, bones, and lungs
• Endocarditis — Infection of the heart valves
• Septicemia — Blood infections (sepsis)
• Bone and joint infections
• Lower respiratory tract infections

Vancomycin is also used off-label for catheter-related bloodstream infections, bacterial meningitis, surgical prophylaxis, and prosthetic joint infections, among others.

How Is Vancomycin Taken?

Vancomycin comes in several forms, and the route of administration depends on the type of infection:

Oral Forms

• Capsules: 125 mg and 250 mg. Taken by mouth with water. The typical dose for C. diff is 125 mg four times daily for 10 days.
• Oral solution (Firvanq): Available in 25 mg/mL and 50 mg/mL concentrations. Measured with a provided dosing device.

Important: Oral Vancomycin is poorly absorbed from the gut (less than 10% enters the bloodstream). This makes it ideal for treating intestinal infections like C. diff, but it cannot treat infections elsewhere in the body.

IV Forms

• Powder for injection: Available in 500 mg, 1 g, 1.25 g, 1.5 g, 5 g, and 10 g vials
• Premixed IV solution: 5 mg/mL and 10 mg/mL

IV Vancomycin is administered by healthcare providers in hospitals, infusion centers, or through home infusion services. It must be given as a slow infusion over at least 60 minutes to reduce the risk of Red Man Syndrome. The typical adult dose is 15-20 mg/kg every 8-12 hours (commonly 1 g every 12 hours).

Who Should Not Take Vancomycin?

Vancomycin should not be used by people who:

• Have a known allergy to Vancomycin
• Are trying to treat a systemic (whole-body) infection with the oral form — oral Vancomycin does not absorb well enough to treat infections outside the gut

Use with caution in:

• People with kidney problems — Dose adjustments are required, and kidney function must be monitored closely
• Older adults — Higher risk of kidney and hearing side effects
• Pregnant women — Category C; use only if benefits outweigh risks
• People taking other kidney-toxic or ear-toxic medications — See our guide on Vancomycin drug interactions

How Much Does Vancomycin Cost?

The cost of Vancomycin varies widely depending on the formulation and where you buy it:

• Generic oral capsules (125 mg, 40 count): $39 to $120 with a discount coupon
• Brand-name oral capsules (Vancocin): Up to $4,469 without insurance
• Firvanq oral solution (150 mL): $122 to $593
• IV Vancomycin: Typically billed as part of hospital or infusion center facility costs and covered under your medical benefit (insurance or Medicare Part B)

Most insurance plans cover Vancomycin, including Medicare Part D (oral) and Part B (IV). Some plans may require prior authorization for oral Vancomycin.

For tips on reducing your out-of-pocket cost, see our guide on how to save money on Vancomycin.

Final Thoughts

Vancomycin is a life-saving antibiotic for serious infections like MRSA and C. diff. It comes in oral and IV forms, each used for different types of infections. While it requires careful monitoring — especially for kidney function — it remains one of the most important tools in fighting drug-resistant bacteria.

If you have been prescribed Vancomycin and need help finding it at a pharmacy, Medfinder can help you locate it in stock near you.