Telavancin is an antibiotic that is used to treat adults who have serious skin infections caused by certain bacteria. It works by killing bacteria or stopping their growth. Telavancin is usually given when other antibiotics have not worked. It comes as a solution that is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion over 60 minutes. Possible side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and rash.
Telavancin is a relatively new antibiotic that falls under the category of lipoglycopeptides [1]. It's used to treat specific types of serious infections caused by certain Gram-positive bacteria, particularly those that are resistant to other antibiotics [2].
Here's what we know about Telavancin:
- Function: Telavancin works by disrupting the cell wall of bacteria, similar to other glycopeptide antibiotics. This weakened cell wall makes it difficult for the bacteria to survive [2].
- Applications: Telavancin is primarily used for infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) – bacteria that are resistant to many common antibiotics [2]. These infections can be life-threatening, so Telavancin offers a valuable option in such cases.
Administration: Telavancin is administered intravenously (through a vein) by a healthcare professional [2].