Glycopeptides and Lipoglycopeptides

Creator: Brian J. Werth
Published: 2022-06-14

Brian J. Werth

, PharmD, University of Washington School of Pharmacy

Reviewed/Revised Jun 2022 | Modified Sep 2022

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Use of Glycopeptides and Lipoglycopeptides During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Topic Resources

Glycopeptides and lipoglycopeptides are antibiotics Overview of Antibiotics Antibiotics are drugs used to treat bacterial infections. They are not effective against viral infections and most other infections. Antibiotics either kill bacteria or stop them from reproducing... read more used to treat complicated and/or serious infections caused by gram-positive bacteria Staining and Examination Using a Microscope .

Glycopeptides and lipoglycopeptides include the following:

Dalbavancin
Oritavancin
Teicoplanin
Telavancin
Vancomycin

Most bacteria have an outer covering (cell wall) that protects them. Glycopeptides and lipoglycopeptides work by preventing gram-positive bacteria from forming this cell wall, resulting in the death of the bacteria.

Glycopeptides and Lipoglycopeptides

Drug	Common Uses*	Some Potential Side Effects
Dalbavancin	Complicated skin infections due to susceptible gram-positive bacteria Staining and Examination Using a Microscope , including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Staphylococcus aureus is the most dangerous of all of the many common staphylococcal bacteria. These gram-positive, sphere-shaped (coccal) bacteria (see figure ) often cause skin infections... read more )	Gastrointestinal upset Metallic taste Foamy urine Flushing and itching of the face, neck, and shoulders†
Oritavancin	Complicated skin infections due to susceptible bacteria, including MRSA Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Staphylococcus aureus is the most dangerous of all of the many common staphylococcal bacteria. These gram-positive, sphere-shaped (coccal) bacteria (see figure ) often cause skin infections... read more	Gastrointestinal upset Metallic taste Foamy urine Headache Flushing and itching of the face, neck, and shoulders†
Teicoplanin‡	Serious infections, especially those due to susceptible gram-positive bacteria Staining and Examination Using a Microscope , including MRSA Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Staphylococcus aureus is the most dangerous of all of the many common staphylococcal bacteria. These gram-positive, sphere-shaped (coccal) bacteria (see figure ) often cause skin infections... read more Clostridioides difficile-induced colitis Clostridioides (formerly Clostridium) difficile–Induced Colitis Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile)–induced colitis is an inflammation of the large intestine (colon) that results in diarrhea. The inflammation is caused by toxin produced... read more	Kidney damage Hearing loss and deafness A decrease in the platelet and white blood cell counts Flushing and itching of the face, neck, and shoulders†
Telavancin	Serious infections, especially those due to susceptible gram-positive bacteria Staining and Examination Using a Microscope , including MRSA Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Staphylococcus aureus is the most dangerous of all of the many common staphylococcal bacteria. These gram-positive, sphere-shaped (coccal) bacteria (see figure ) often cause skin infections... read more	Gastrointestinal upset Metallic taste Foamy urine Kidney damage Dizziness A decrease in the platelet count Flushing and itching of the face, neck, and shoulders†
Vancomycin	Serious infections, especially those due to susceptible gram-positive bacteria Staining and Examination Using a Microscope , including MRSA Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Staphylococcus aureus is the most dangerous of all of the many common staphylococcal bacteria. These gram-positive, sphere-shaped (coccal) bacteria (see figure ) often cause skin infections... read more Clostridioides difficile-induced colitis Clostridioides (formerly Clostridium) difficile–Induced Colitis Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile)–induced colitis is an inflammation of the large intestine (colon) that results in diarrhea. The inflammation is caused by toxin produced... read more (given by mouth)	Flushing and itching of the face, neck, and shoulders† Kidney damage Hearing loss A decrease in white blood cell and platelet counts
* These drugs are given by injection into a vein except where noted.
† These side effects are usually relieved by slowing the infusion.
‡ Teicoplanin is currently not available in the United States.

Use of glycopeptides and lipoglycopeptides during pregnancy is not recommended, but sometimes the benefits of treatment may outweigh the risks. For example, vancomycin taken by mouth may be used to treat C. difficile–induced diarrhea in pregnant women. (See also Drug Use During Pregnancy Drug Use During Pregnancy More than 50% of pregnant women take prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter) drugs or use social drugs (such as tobacco and alcohol) or illicit drugs at some time during pregnancy... read more .)

Use of glycopeptides and lipoglycopeptides during breastfeeding is discouraged. (See also Drug Use During Breastfeeding Drug Use During Breastfeeding When mothers who are breastfeeding have to take a drug, they wonder whether they should stop breastfeeding. The answer depends on the following: How much of the drug passes into the milk Whether... read more .)

Generic Name	Select Brand Names
dalbavancin	DALVANCE
oritavancin	Kimyrsa, ORBACTIV
telavancin	Vibativ
vancomycin	FIRVANQ, Vancocin, Vancocin Powder, VANCOSOL

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