vankomysiin

Vankomysiin, known in English as Vancomycin, is an antibiotic used to treat a range of bacterial infections. It belongs to the glycopeptide class of antibiotics and is primarily effective against Gram-positive bacteria. Vancomycin is commonly employed to treat serious infections such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Clostridioides difficile (orally for colitis), and other resistant bacterial strains when alternative antibiotics are unsuitable.

Vancomycin was first isolated from the bacterium Amycolatopsis orientalis in 1953. It operates by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis through binding to the D-Ala-D-Ala terminus of cell wall precursor units. This disruption weakens the bacterial cell wall, leading to cell lysis and death.

The drug is typically administered intravenously for systemic infections, owing to its poor absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. For certain intestinal infections, such as C. difficile-associated colitis, oral vancomycin is used since it remains within the gastrointestinal lumen and acts locally.

Common side effects of vancomycin include nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity, and infusion-related reactions such as "red man syndrome," characterized by flushing and rash. Monitoring of blood levels of vancomycin is often recommended to optimize efficacy and minimize toxicity.

Due to its importance in treating resistant infections, vancomycin is classified as a key antibiotic by global health authorities. Proper use of vancomycin is essential to prevent the development of resistance and ensure its continued effectiveness in clinical practice.