Proper Use of This Medicine

For patients taking the oral liquid form of vancomycin:

• Use a specially marked measuring spoon or other device to measure each dose accurately. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.
• Do not use after the expiration date on the label. The medicine may not work properly after that date. Check with your pharmacist if you have any questions about this.

To help clear up your colitis completely, keep taking this medicine for the full time of treatment , even if you begin to feel better after a few days. If you stop taking this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return. Do not miss any doses .

Dosing—The dose of oral vancomycin will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of oral vancomycin. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of capsules or teaspoonfuls of solution that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are taking oral vancomycin .

• For oral dosage forms (capsules, oral solution):
  • For treatment of colitis or severe diarrhea:
    • Adults and teenagers—125 to 500 milligrams (mg) every six hours for seven to ten days.
    • Children—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by the doctor. The usual dose is 10 mg per kilogram (4.5 mg per pound) of body weight, up to 125 mg. This dose is taken every six hours for seven to ten days.

Missed dose—If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage—To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store the capsule form of this medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Store the oral liquid form of vancomycin in the refrigerator because heat will cause this medicine to break down. However, keep the medicine from freezing. Follow the directions on the label.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.