Teicoplanin
About
Teicoplanin belongs to the group of medicines called antibiotic, which is used to treat various bacterial infections of the bones, joints, lungs, urinary tract, abdominal wall(peritonitis), and heart(endocarditis). Bacterial infections are caused due to the multiplication of harmful bacteria inside or on the body. Infectious or harmful bacteria can make you sick and reproduce quickly in your body. These harmful bacteria produce chemicals known as toxins, which can damage tissue and make you sick. Teicoplanin does not work against infections caused by the virus, including cold and flu.
Teicoplanin contains teicoplanin works by interfering with the formation of bacterial cell walls, thereby impairing the bonds that hold the bacterial cell wall together. This allows holes to appear in the bacterial cell walls, which kills the bacteria. Thus, it helps in treating and preventing the spread of infections.
Teicoplanin will be administered by a healthcare professional. Do not self-administer Teicoplanin. The dose of Teicoplanin can vary depending on your condition and the severity of the infection. It is also recommended to complete the course of medicine even if you feel better, as it is an antibiotic. Leaving it in between may lead to even severe infection that will, in fact, stop responding to the antibiotic (antibiotic resistance). In some cases, you may experience common side effects such as diarrhoea, rashes, local pain and redness at the injection site, changes in blood and liver test results, and abnormalities (increases/decreases) in the number of white blood cells and platelets. Not everybody experiences these side effects. Talk to your doctor if you feel any discomfort while taking Teicoplanin.
Before starting Teicoplanin, please inform your doctor if you have any allergy (against any antibiotic), or kidney or liver problems. Do not take Teicoplanin on your own, as self-medication may lead to antibiotic resistance in which antibiotics fail to act against specific bacterial infections. Talk to your doctor before taking Teicoplanin if you have a history of diarrhoea after taking antibiotics. Avoid taking Teicoplanin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless prescribed by a doctor. Teicoplanin may cause dizziness, so be cautious while driving. Avoid alcohol consumption to prevent unpleasant side effects. Inform your doctor about all the medicines you are taking and your health condition to rule out undesirable side effects.
Uses of Teicoplanin
Medicinal Benefits
Teicoplanin belongs to the group of antibiotics used to treat various bacterial infections of the brain, lungs, middle ear, abdomen, urinary tract, kidneys, bones, joints, skin, soft tissues, blood, and heart. Teicoplanin is active against serious gram+ve infections, serious staphylococcal infections. Teicoplanin works by preventing the formation of bacterial cell covering, which is necessary for their survival. Thereby killing the bacteria and helping in treating and preventing the spread of infections. Teicoplanin does not work against infections caused by the virus, including cold and flu. Teicoplanin is also used to treat infections in the gut caused by ‘Clostridium difficile’ bacteria. For this, the teicoplanin solution should be taken by mouth as advised by your doctor.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Teicoplanin
- Rashes
- Fever
- Local pain and redness at the injection site
- Dizziness
- Changes in the results of blood and liver tests
- Abnormalities (increases/decreases) in the number of white blood cells and platelets
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Before starting Teicoplanin, please inform your doctor if you have an allergy to an antibiotic called 'vancomycin' if you are already taking medicines which may cause hearing problems and/or kidney problems, if you have thrombocytopenia (a decrease in platelet count), or if you have red man syndrome (flushing of the upper part of your body). Do not take Teicoplanin on your own, as self-medication may lead to antibiotic resistance in which antibiotics fail to act against specific bacterial infections. Avoid taking Teicoplanin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless prescribed by a doctor. Avoid alcohol consumption while taking Teicoplanin to prevent unpleasant side effects. Teicoplanin may cause dizziness, so be cautious while driving. Inform your doctor about all the medicines you are taking and your health condition to rule out any unpleasant side effects. Inform your doctor immediately if you notice balance problems, hearing problems, vomiting, or ringing in the ears after taking Teicoplanin.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Teicoplanin may have interaction with aminoglycoside antibiotics, a medicine used to treat fungal infections (amphotericin), a medicine used to control the body's immune system (ciclosporin), a medicine used in the treatment of cancers (cisplatin), a medicine used to treat excess fluid in the body (furosemide), and etacrynic acid.
Food-Drug Interactions: Avoid alcohol consumption to prevent unpleasant side effects.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Teicoplanin may interact with thrombocytopenia (a decrease in platelet count), red man syndrome (flushing of the upper part of your body), and kidney problems.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid consuming alcohol while taking Teicoplanin to prevent unpleasant side effects.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you are pregnant, your doctor will prescribe Teicoplanin only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding, your doctor will prescribe Teicoplanin only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Driving
cautionTeicoplanin may cause dizziness, do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel dizzy.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be needed. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this or if you have liver impairment/liver disease before taking Teicoplanin.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this or if you have kidney impairment/kidney disease before taking Teicoplanin.
Children
safe if prescribedTeicoplanin is safe for children if prescribed by a doctor. Do not use the Teicoplanin of a child without a doctor's advice.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Antibiotics can alter the useful bacteria in the stomach, which helps with indigestion. Therefore, you should take foods rich in probiotics such as yoghurt/curd, kefir, sauerkraut, tempeh, kimchi, miso, kombucha, buttermilk, natto and cheese.
- Eat fibre-rich food like whole grains, beans, lentils, berries, broccoli, peas and bananas.
- Avoid foods rich in calcium, grapefruit and grapefruit juice, as they might hinder the absorption of antibiotics.
- Avoid the consumption of alcohol to treat your condition effectively.
- Avoid the usage of tobacco.
- To cure your condition effectually, complete the full course of Teicoplanin even though you find symptomatic relief.
Special Advise
- You are advised to have tests to check your blood, kidneys and/or hearing during the treatment with Teicoplanin.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Bacterial infection: A bacterial infection is a condition in which harmful bacteria enter, multiply, and infect our body. Infectious or harmful bacteria can make you sick and reproduce quickly in your body. These harmful bacteria produce chemicals known as toxins, which can damage tissue and make you sick. It can target any body part and multiply very quickly. When you get infected with bacteria, you can experience generalized symptoms like fevers, chills, and fatigue. Bacterial infections vary from minor illnesses like sore throat and ear infections to severe brain infections like meningitis and encephalitis. Few harmful bacteria that cause infections include Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and E. coli. Anyone can become infected with a bacterial infection. But, people with weak immune systems or taking immunosuppressive medicine are more prone to bacterial infection.
FAQs
Teicoplanin works by interfering with the formation of bacterial cell walls, thereby impairing the bonds that hold the bacterial cell wall together. This allows holes to appear in the bacterial cell walls, which kills the bacteria. Thus, it helps in treating and preventing the spread of infections.
Teicoplanin may cause dizziness or headaches. So, drive only if you are alert after taking Teicoplanin and omit driving and operating machinery if you feel dizzy.
Diarrhoea might be a side-effect of Teicoplanin. Drink lots of fluids and eat fibre-rich food if you experience diarrhoea. If you find blood in your stools (tarry stools) or if you experience excess diarrhoea, consult your doctor. Do not take anti-diarrheal medicine on your own.
It is recommended to complete the course of Teicoplanin even if you feel better, as it is an antibiotic. Leaving it in between may lead to even severe infection that will, in fact, stop responding to the antibiotic (antibiotic resistance).
Common side effects of Teicoplanin include abnormalities with your white blood cells (such as decreased leucocytes and an increase of eosinophils) and platelets (decrease of thrombocytes), loose stools or diarrhoea, changes in the results of blood tests for liver functions, and rash.
