Ulcerative colitis is an inflammation in the bowel, which is known as the IBD or inflammatory bowel disease which comprises a group of disease that affects an individual’s gastrointestinal tract. This condition occurs when the lining of the large intestine, rectum, or both becomes inflamed.
The inflammation is due to certain bacteria which usually produces tiny sores (called as ulcers) on the lining of the colon. The infection usually begins in the rectum then spreads upward. With this said, it can involve your entire colon.
This causes your bowel to move its contents quickly and empty it frequently as the cells on the surface of your bowel’s lining die the ulcers form. Then, the ulcers will cause the bleeding and discharge of pus and mucus.
While this disease does not exempt any of the age, the most common age in which people are diagnosed for this illness is between the ages of 15 and 35. After the age of 50, the risk of having this disease have a small increase in diagnoses for men.
Why is Vancomycin Prescribed?
This medication is primarily used to treat colitis that can possibly occur after antibiotic treatment. Vancomycin is part of the class of medications called glycopeptide antibiotics, which works by killing the bacteria present in the intestines.
However, the vancomycin will not kill the bacteria or treat the infections in any other part of an individual’s body. Additionally, this medication (or any antibiotic) will not work for virus infections such as common colds and flu.
Lastly, this drug can be bought in any local pharmacy, which can also be bought with a vancomycin Hcl coupon.
How Should Vancomycin be Used?
This medicine comes as a capsule which is to be taken by the mouth. It is usually taken three to four times a day for about seven to ten days.
Now, if you tend to forget your intake of this medicine frequently, then the action that you can do to help you remember is that to take it around the same time every day. Also, you need to follow the directions carefully on the label written on the prescription.
You should also follow what your doctor or healthcare provider instructed you to do or make them explain to you what you do not understand in any of the instructions.
In taking of the said medicine, you should take it exactly as it was directed. Thus, you should not make any adjustments, like taking more or less than what it was prescribed. Additionally, you should take vancomycin until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better.
Since if you stop taking vancomycin too soon or miss some doses, your infection may not be completely cured and the bacteria might become resistant to the antibiotics.
Precautions When Taking Vancomycin
All medications have a particular set of precautions that a patient should follow to avoid further complication or any development of health issues other than the main problem. Thus, when taking vancomycin, you should be aware of the following:
Allergies. This is one of the essential factors that both you and your doctor should consider before you take vancomycin. Thus, you should inform your doctor if you are allergic to the said drug or to any of its like.
Also, due to its inactive ingredients, you should tell your doctor if you have any other certain allergies.
Prescriptions. Inform your doctor about the other prescriptions that you are currently taking and all of the other nonprescription medications. Do not also miss to inform your healthcare provider about your intake of vitamins, nutritional supplements, and even herbal products.
Also, especially mention these medications of you are taking them, amphotericin, amikacin, bacitracin, colistin, gentamicin, kanamycin, streptomycin, and tobramycin.
Medical History. Another information that you should tell your doctor is your medical history since it will affect the treatment or medication that will be given to you. So, if you ever had inflammatory bowel disease before, including Crohn’s disease, hearing loss, or kidney disease, then you should immediately tell your doctor.
Pregnancy. If you are pregnant or is currently breastfeeding, then you should tell your doctor beforehand. Now, if you are planning to become pregnant while taking vancomycin, then you should discuss it with your doctor.
What are the Side Effects of Vancomycin?
Medications have their side effects, and vancomycin is not an exemption to it. With this said, you might experience an upset stomach.
Now, some side effects can be severe. However, it is uncommon to experience one, but if you do experience any of them, then you need to call your doctor immediately.
Here are the said symptoms:
• Signs of infection like fever and chills
• Hives
• Skin rash
• Itching
• Redness of the skin
• Pain and muscle tightness
• Difficulty in breathing
Takeaway
When taking any medication, it is your responsibility that you would know of the information about the prescription. Not only because you need to, but because it concerns your health and well-being.
Author’s bio:
Tricia Blake is a freelance creative writer who collaborates with various healthy lifestyle enthusiasts to share her experiences through the written word. She especially loves writing about health and the various ways to become healthy. Tricia worked as a content marketing specialist in her former life but recently left to pursue a full-time freelance career.