TEICOPLANIN MYLAN
TEICOPLANIN
What it does
Teicoplanin is an antibiotic used to treat serious bacterial infections.
Commonly used for: serious infections caused by bacteria, skin infections, bone infections, infections in the bloodstream
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Sourcing - Kenya onlyRegistration & product details
Source: Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe · fetched 2026-04-18 08:22:11 · updated 2026-09-16 04:30:11
About this medicine
Teicoplanin is an antibiotic used to treat serious bacterial infections.
What it treats
- serious infections caused by bacteria
- skin infections
- bone infections
- infections in the bloodstream
How it works
Teicoplanin works by stopping the growth of bacteria, helping your body to fight off infections.
Who it's for
This medicine is for adults and children who have infections that are difficult to treat with other antibiotics.
AI-assisted summary grounded in BNF data - general information only, not medical advice. Always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor.
Clinical monograph: Teicoplanin
BNF-referencedTeicoplanin is a glycopeptide antibiotic derived from the actinobacterium Actinoplanes teichomyceticus. It is primarily used for the treatment of serious infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria, including complicated skin and soft tissue infections, pneumonia, and endocarditis. Teicoplanin works by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis, leading to cell death. It is similar in activity to vancomycin and is administered via intravenous or intramuscular routes. It is not absorbed significantly when given orally.
Indications
- Serious infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria
- Complicated skin and soft-tissue infections
- Pneumonia
- Endocarditis
- Diabetic foot infections
- Leg ulcer infections
- Cellulitis
- Erysipelas
- Bone and joint infections
- Complicated urinary tract infections
- Surgical prophylaxis in high-risk patients
Dosage
Children: Child 9–11 years (body weight 50 kg and above): 1–2 g for 1 dose, which can be given for 3 days if severely ill or previous therapy failed. Child
Adults: Initially 6 mg/kg every 12 hours for 3 doses, then 6 mg/kg once daily.
Mechanism of action
Teicoplanin inhibits peptidoglycan polymerization, resulting in inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis and cell death.
Pharmacodynamics
As a glycopeptide antibiotic, teicoplanin exhibits a similar spectrum of activity to vancomycin, effectively targeting Gram-positive bacteria. Its mechanism of action is primarily through the inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis, making it effective against various infections, including those caused by Clostridium difficile. It has been shown to be effective in treating pseudomembranous colitis.
Pharmacokinetics
Teicoplanin is administered intravenously or intramuscularly, as it is poorly absorbed when given orally. Following parenteral administration, it achieves high tissue concentrations, particularly in the lungs and skin. The drug has a long half-life, allowing for once-daily dosing after an initial loading dose. Teicoplanin is primarily eliminated via the kidneys, and dosage adjustments may be necessary in patients with renal impairment.
Contra-indications
- Hypersensitivity to teicoplanin or any of its components
- History of glycopeptide sensitivity
Adverse effects
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Abdominal pain
- Skin reactions
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Increased risk of infection
- Myalgia
- Peripheral oedema
- Tachycardia
- Hypersensitivity reactions including angioedema
- Serious infusion-related reactions
- Ototoxicity
- Thrombocytopenia
- Eosinophilia
- Hypoglycaemia
- Hyperuricaemia
- Chills
- Hypoxia
- Tremor
- Vancomycin-like infusion reaction
- Antibiotic-associated colitis
Interactions
- May interfere with certain laboratory coagulation tests
- Caution advised when used in combination with other antibacterials
Precautions
- Use with caution in patients with a history of renal impairment
- Monitor closely during and after infusion
- Increased risk of dizziness affecting driving and skilled tasks
Pregnancy
Avoid unless potential benefit outweighs risk; no information available on safety.
Breast-feeding
Avoid; present in milk in animal studies.
Storage
Store in a cool, dry place, protected from light. Reconstituted solutions should be used promptly or stored according to product literature.
Formulations
- Teicoplanin for injection (intravenous injection or infusion)
- Teicoplanin intramuscular injection (may be mixed with 1% Lidocaine Hydrochloride for reduced pain)
AI-synthesized from BNF references - general information only, not a substitute for professional medical advice or the current BNF. Verify doses with a pharmacist.
Molecular reference: Teicoplanin
PubChem CID 133065662Molecular formula: C88H97Cl2N9O33
Mechanism of action
Teicoplanin inhibits peptidoglycan polymerization, resulting in inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis and cell death.
Pharmacodynamics
It is a glycopeptide antiobiotic extracted from <i>Actinoplanes teichomyceticus</i>, with a similar spectrum of activity to vancomycin. Its mechanism of action is to inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis. Oral teicoplanin has been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of pseudomembranous colitis and Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea, with comparable efficacy to vancomycin.
Source: PubChem (NCBI) · pathways from PathBank, Reactome, WikiPathways & PharmGKB.
This drug in other countries
The same active ingredient registered across other registries we cover - including different brands.