vancomycin reaction

disneyfan

Had a new mediport put in and the next day oncol.  thinks it has a tunnel infection.  They gave me liquid vancomycin and my scalp itched.  One of the side effects is suppose to be a red face but my scalp really itch until about 20 min after the drip stopped.  Has anyone else had this reaction.

leaf

I hope by 'liquid vancomycin' you mean you got IV vancomycin.  Oral vancomycin is not absorbed systemically, unless perhaps you have toxic megacolon (unusual, and you'd probably be in the ICU.)

 Itching can be part of the 'red man syndrome'.  This paper found a pre-med of antihistamines helpful. Next time you may want to ask for a premed for vanco, or at least have them slow down the infusion time. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9728853

disneyfan

Thank you, I did have IV vancomycin.   I ended up having an allergic reaction to the lidocane to put the port in and it was not an infection of the port tunnel.  THe nurse did not recognize the itching scalp but when I saw the oncologist today she said it is not unusual to get an itchy scalp.  I will ask for antihistimes again.  She did slow the drip down after I first told her about 15 mins into drip.  but the itching started again about 5 min later so I may have to go even slower.  I did get a tiny bit red in face and cheeks like I had after I drink a glass of wine.  so not the indian red though.  Thanks for your info.  I hope this may help some other if they have this side effect.  I

leaf

I'm so glad you didn't have a port infection!  Itchiness can drive you batty - and I don't want you to go through that!