Drug reference

Telavancin

Glycopeptide · Antibiotic

Also known as Telavancin hydrochloride

GlycopeptideAntibiotic

CDSCO approved

EXCRETION

—

not curated

INTERACTIONS

12 major

SEVERE in our sources

PREGNANCY

Avoid (teratogenic in animal studies).

FDA category + note

Top interactionssee all 12 →

AmiodaroneSevereDatabaseDDInter
AmisulprideSevereDatabaseDDInter
AnagrelideSevereDatabaseDDInter
Arsenic TrioxideSevereDatabaseDDInter

Mechanism

Telavancin is a glycopeptide antibacterial with bactericidal activity. It targets aerobic and anaerobic Gram-positive bacteria, including multi-resistant staphylococci. It also has activity against some glycopeptide-resistant enterococci, though reports of reduced susceptibility exist.

Indications

Hospital-acquired pneumonia, known or suspected to be caused by meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus when other antibacterials cannot be usedComplicated skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs)Nosocomial pneumoniasMethicillin-resistant infections

Dosing

Adult: 10 mg/kg once daily for 7–21 days by intravenous infusion
Renal adjustment: In chronic renal failure, use 7.5 mg/kg once daily if eGFR 30–50 mL/minute/1.73 m2. Avoid if eGFR less than 30 mL/minute/1.73 m2.

Contraindications

Acute renal failure (risk of mortality increased)
Chronic renal failure with eGFR less than 30 mL/minute/1.73 m2
Vancomycin or teicoplanin sensitivity (use with caution)
Conditions that predispose to renal impairment
Predisposition to QT interval prolongation (including electrolyte disturbances, congenital long QT syndrome, uncompensated heart failure, severe left ventricular hypertrophy)

Side effects

Common

AstheniaConstipationDiarrhoeaDizzinessHeadachesIncreased risk of infectionInsomniaNauseaRenal impairmentSkin reactionsTaste alteredUrine abnormalitiesVomitingRed man syndrome (if rapid infusion)QT interval prolongationTaste disturbances (metallic taste)Gastrointestinal side effects

Serious

Deafness
Thrombocytopenia
Thrombocytosis
Arrhythmias
Clostridium colitis
Confusion
Congestive heart failure
Hepatitis
Haematuria
Leucopenia
Nephrotoxicity
QTc prolongation (increased risk of cardiac arrhythmias, especially with concomitant QTc-prolonging agents)
Interference with coagulation tests (false elevations in PT)
Teratogenicity in animal studies
Cross-allergy with vancomycin possible