Vancomycin oral capsule interactions: A detailed guide

This article describes possible interactions with vancomycin oral capsule. Interactions can cause a drug to have a different effect on the body than expected. Interactions can occur due to medications, alcohol, or certain health conditions.

Vancomycin comes as capsules that you’ll swallow. It’s also available as a solution that’s injected into a vein. Interactions of vancomycin may vary depending on the form of vancomycin you’re prescribed.

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Other drugs and vancomycin

The drugs in the list below may interact with vancomycin oral capsule. This article doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with vancomycin.

Drug classes or drugs that may interact with vancomycin oral capsule include:

• aminoglycosides:
  • drug examples: amikacin, gentamicin
  • what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of vancomycin and the aminoglycoside
• bile acid sequestrants:
  • drug examples: cholestyramine (Locholest, Prevalite), colesevelam (Welchol)
  • what might happen: can make vancomycin less effective
• loop diuretics:
  • drug examples: ethacrynic acid (Edecrin), furosemide (Lasix)
  • what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of vancomycin and the loop diuretic
• cidofovir:
  • what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of vancomycin and cidofovir
• foscarnet (Foscavir):
  • what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of vancomycin and foscarnet
• methotrexate (Trexall, others):
  • what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of vancomycin and methotrexate
• oxaliplatin (Eloxatin):
  • what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of oxaliplatin

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When to avoid vancomycin

Certain health conditions or other factors could increase some risks with vancomycin oral capsule. Because of this, doctors may not prescribe vancomycin in these cases. These health conditions or other factors are called contraindications.

Here’s a contraindication for vancomycin oral capsule:

• Past allergic reaction to vancomycin. If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to vancomycin oral capsule, taking it again may cause another allergic reaction.

Before you start taking vancomycin, talk with your doctor about vancomycin’s contraindications. They can recommend whether you should take vancomycin.

Alcohol and vancomycin

There aren’t any known vancomycin interactions with alcohol.

However, drinking alcohol can worsen diarrhea. This includes clostridium difficile–associated diarrhea, which vancomycin is used to treat. For this reason, your doctor may suggest avoiding alcohol until your infection clears.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it while taking vancomycin oral capsule.

Other interactions and vancomycin

Interactions can occur with supplements, foods, vaccines, and some lab tests. Below you can learn whether vancomycin oral capsule has these interactions. 

The information below doesn’t include all other possible interactions with vancomycin.

Vancomycin and supplements

Before taking vancomycin oral capsule, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Doing so may help you avoid interactions.

If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Vancomycin interactions with herbs

Vancomycin oral capsule isn’t known to interact with any herbs. But this doesn’t mean interactions with herbs can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products while taking vancomycin oral capsule.

Vancomycin interactions with vitamins

Vancomycin oral capsule isn’t known to interact with any vitamins. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vitamins can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any of these products while taking vancomycin oral capsule.

Vancomycin interactions with food

Vancomycin oral capsule isn’t known to interact with foods. But this doesn’t mean interactions with foods can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what foods you should avoid while taking vancomycin oral capsule.

Vancomycin and vaccines

Vancomycin oral capsule isn’t known to interact with any vaccines. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vaccines can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before receiving any vaccines while taking vancomycin oral capsule.

Vancomycin and lab tests

Vancomycin oral capsule isn’t known to interact with lab tests. But this doesn’t mean interactions with lab tests can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before having any tests while taking vancomycin oral capsule.

Vancomycin and cannabis or CBD

Vancomycin oral capsule isn’t known to interact with cannabis (commonly called marijuana) or cannabis products such as cannabidiol (CBD). But this doesn’t mean interactions can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

As with any drug or supplement, tell your doctor before taking cannabis with vancomycin.

Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.

Health factors and vancomycin

Certain medical conditions or other health factors may increase the risk of interactions with vancomycin oral capsule. Keep in mind that interactions could lead to side effects or affect how well the drug works. Before using vancomycin, tell your doctor about your health history. They’ll determine whether vancomycin is right for you.

These health conditions or other factors might interact with vancomycin oral capsule:

• inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis
• kidney condition, such as chronic kidney disease
• pregnancy or breastfeeding
• past allergic reaction to vancomycin

Preventing vancomycin interactions

You may be able to help avoid certain interactions with vancomycin oral capsule. Before taking this drug, you may want to discuss possible interactions with your doctor and pharmacist.

Things to consider include:

• Whether you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
• Other medications and herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a medication list.
• What to do if you’re prescribed a new drug while taking vancomycin oral capsule.

Taking vancomycin exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.

What to ask your doctor

If you have questions about vancomycin and possible interactions, talk with your doctor.

Questions you may want to ask your doctor include:

• Could I still take vancomycin, even if it interacts with a health condition I have?
• Do other drugs that could treat my condition have similar interactions?
• Does my risk of interactions depend on how long my treatment with vancomycin oral tablet lasts?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.