Vibativ (Telavancin) 750mg/Vial

Telavancin, Vibativ
Description: Glycopeptide

“ALERT: US Boxed Warning

Moderate to severe renal impairment:
Patients with preexisting moderate to severe renal impairment (CrCl ≤50 mL/minute) who were treated with telavancin for hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia/ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia had increased mortality observed versus vancomycin. Use of telavancin in patients with preexisting moderate to severe renal impairment (CrCl ≤50 mL/minute) should be considered only when the anticipated benefit to the patient outweighs the potential risk.

Nephrotoxicity:
New-onset or worsening renal impairment has occurred. Monitor renal function in all patients.

​Embryofetal toxicity:
May cause fetal harm. In animal reproduction studies, adverse developmental outcomes were observed in 3 animal species at clinically relevant doses. Verify pregnancy status in females of reproductive potential prior to initiating telavancin. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with telavancin and for 2 days after the final dose.”

CSA NA – FDA Approved – REMS (N) – Can Ship

Telavancin, Vibativ blocks polymerization and cross linking of peptidoglycan by binding to D-Ala-D-Ala portion of cell wall thereby inhibiting cell wall synthesis. Unlike vancomycin, additional mechanism involves disruption of membrane potential and changes cell permeability due to presence of lipophilic side chain moiety. Exerts concentration-dependent bactericidal activity.

Complicated skin and skin structure infections; Hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia

Before starting Telavancin, Vibativ make sure your physician is aware of any allergies or medications you currently take, if you have renal impairment, are pregnant, or breastfeeding. Telavancin, Vibativ use has been associated with rare but serious adverse events such as anaphylaxis, hypersensitivity reactions, cardiac conduction alteration, infusion reactions, nephrotoxicity, and bacterial superinfection.

IV: 10 mg/kg every 24 hours

How to Take: Administer over 60 minutes. Red-man syndrome may occur if the infusion is too rapid. It is not an allergic reaction but may be characterized by hypotension and/or a maculopapular rash appearing on the face, neck, trunk, and/or upper extremities. If this should occur, discontinuing or slowing the infusion rate may eliminate these reactions.  Store intact vials at 2°C to 8°C (35°F to 46°F.  Vials contain no bacteriostatic agent. Reconstituted solution in the vial should be used within 12 hours at room temperature or 7 days refrigerated.

You Need to Avoid:  Significant drug interactions exist, requiring dose/frequency adjustment or avoidance so avoid starting any new medications without consulting prescriber.  Other medications should not be infused simultaneously through the same IV line.

Metallic taste, nausea, vomiting, increased serum creatinine, foamy urine, dizziness, diarrhea 

Note this is not a complete list of side effects, only the most common

1. What do I do if side effects are intolerable?
   If side effects are causing a lot of distress speak to your physician as soon as possible to discuss options.
2. Why would my physician prescribe a medication with such serious side effects?
   Bacterial resistance is becoming more of an issue and not all antibiotics work for all bacteria.  Certain antibiotics concentrate in different parts of the body which can also affect which ones work in which situations.  Your physician takes the most recent clinical guidelines and follows local resistance patterns to make evidence-based decisions that are reviewed and agreed upon by the medical community as to what agents should be used in which types of infections.  Your current medications, your allergies, age, cost of medication, side effects you experience from various antibiotics and many other factors will further complicate or limit which medications are appropriate.  This decision was not made lightly, however if you are concerned, ask your physician to clarify why they made their choice of antibiotic and they can let you know why this was the best option for this scenario.