Telavancin injection

What is this medication?

TELAVANCIN (TEL a van sin) is an antibiotic. It is used to treat certain kinds of bacterial infections. It will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Vibativ

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• diabetes
• heart disease
• high blood pressure
• kidney disease
• take medicines that treat or prevent blood clots
• an unusual or allergic reaction to telavancin, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

This medicine is infused into a vein. It is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic.

If you receive this medicine at home, you will receive special instructions. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Take all of your medicine as directed even if you think you are better. Do not skip doses or stop your medicine early.

It is important that you put your used needles and syringes in a special sharps container. Do not put them in a trash can. If you do not have a sharps container, call your pharmacist or health care provider to get one.

A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. This medicine is not approved for use in children.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not use this medicine with any of the following medications:

• cidofovir
• heparin (infused into a vein)

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• aspirin and aspirin-like medicines
• birth control pills
• cisplatin
• cyclosporine
• diuretics
• medicines for blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heart beat
• NSAIDS, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen
• other medicines for infection like acyclovir, adefovir, aminoglycosides, amphotericin B, bacitracin, colistin, foscarnet, ganciclovir, pentamidine, polymyxin B
• pamidronate
• zoledronic acid

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Tell your doctor or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve or if you get new symptoms. Your condition and lab work will be monitored while you are taking this medicine.

Do not treat diarrhea with over the counter products. Contact your doctor if you have diarrhea that lasts more than 2 days or if it is severe and watery.

Do not become pregnant while taking this medicine. Women should inform their doctor if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. If you are a female who can become pregnant, you should use effective birth control during treatment. There is a potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Talk to your health care professional or pharmacist for more information.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• change in amount, color of urine
• change in hearing
• chest pain
• dizziness
• fever, chills
• flushing of the face and neck (reddening)
• low blood pressure
• unusual bleeding or bruising

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• changes in taste
• foamy urine
• headache
• nausea, vomiting
• pain, swelling where injected
• stomach cramps

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children.

If you are using this medicine at home, you will be instructed on how to store this medicine. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date on the label.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.