Consumer medicine information

1. Why am I using VANCOMYCIN JUNO?

VANCOMYCIN JUNO contains the active ingredient vancomycin hydrochloride. Vancomycin is an antibiotic used to treat serious infections caused by bacteria (germs). These infections may occur in different parts of the body. Vancomycin can also be used orally to treat serious infections involving the bowel.
For more information, see Section 1. Why am I using VANCOMYCIN JUNO? in the full CMI.

2. What should I know before I use VANCOMYCIN JUNO?

Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to vancomycin or any of the ingredients listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines, or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
For more information, see Section 2. What should I know before I use VANCOMYCIN JUNO? in the full CMI.

3. What if I am taking other medicines?

Some medicines may interfere with vancomycin and affect how it works.
A list of these medicines is in Section 3. What if I am taking other medicines? in the full CMI.

4. How do I use VANCOMYCIN JUNO?

• Your doctor will decide the appropriate dose for you.

• A doctor or nurse will usually prepare and administer the injection or infusion.

• Follow all instructions given to you by your doctor and pharmacist.

5. What should I know while using VANCOMYCIN JUNO?

6. Are there any side effects?

Side effects of this medicine may include stomach ache, nausea, chills, diarrhoea, vomiting, injection site reactions, hearing problems, kidney problems, dizziness, irregular or fast heartbeat, chest tightness, wheezing, breathlessness, rash or severe skin reactions, increased bleeding/bruising, upper body redness or pain/spasm of the chest and back, skin blisters/bleeding (lips, eyes, mouth, nose or genitals) or high fever.
For more information, including what to do if you have any side effects, see Section 6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.

1 Name of Medicine

Vancomycin hydrochloride.

2 Qualitative and Quantitative Composition

Vancomycin Juno is available as sterile vials containing vancomycin hydrochloride equivalent to either 500 mg (500,000 IU) or 1 g (1,000,000 IU) of vancomycin activity.
For the full list of excipients, see Section 6.1.

3 Pharmaceutical Form

Powder for injection.
An almost-white to light pink homogenous freeze-dried cake. When reconstituted in water, it is a clear solution with a pH range of 2.8 to 4.5.

4 Clinical Particulars

4.9 Overdose

Supportive care is advised, with maintenance of glomerular filtration. Vancomycin is poorly removed by dialysis. Haemoperfusion with Amberlite resin XAD-4 has been reported to be of limited benefit. Haemofiltration and haemoperfusion with polysulfone resin have been reported to result in increased vancomycin clearance.
In managing overdosage, consider the possibility of multiple drug overdoses, interaction among drugs, and unusual drug kinetics in your patient.
For information on the management of overdose, contact the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 (Australia).

5 Pharmacological Properties

5.3 Preclinical Safety Data

Genotoxicity. No data available.
Carcinogenicity. No data available.

6 Pharmaceutical Particulars

6.7 Physicochemical Properties

Chemical structure. The following structure of vancomycin hydrochloride has been confirmed by X-ray diffraction:
https://stagingapi.mims.com/au/public/v2/images/fullchemgif/CSVANHCL.gif CAS number. 1404-93-9.
Vancomycin has the chemical formula C₆₆H₇₅Cl₂N₉O₂₄.HCl.
The formula weight is 1449; 500 mg of the base is equivalent to 0.35 mmol.

7 Medicine Schedule (Poisons Standard)

Prescription only medicine (S4).

Summary Table of Changes

https://stagingapi.mims.com/au/public/v2/images/fulltablegif/VANJUNST.gif