Vancomycin has some side effects, as some suffer from vancomycin flushing syndrome (VCF) or red man syndrome (RMS) after taking it. RMS is the most common allergic reaction to vancomycin.
Red Man Syndrome Causes & Symptoms
RMS happens after a quick infusion of vancomycin. Vancomycin is used to cure colitis, an intestinal infection brought on by bacteria, according to MedlinePlus. They go by the name glycopeptide antibiotics as well.
A case report states that a 74-year-old woman with significant osteoarthritis was hospitalized for a left TKR. Following applying bone cement containing vancomycin, erythematous changes appeared on the face, trunk, and extremities. RMS caused by vancomycin was identified as the patient's condition.
Fluid challenge, intravenous ephedrine, intravenous diphenhydramine, and intravenous hydrocortisone were used in her treatment. Within an hour of treatment, her symptoms and indications improved.
Vancomycin-induced RMS may develop following the typical use of vancomycin-loaded bone cement in the primary TKR replacement.
Symptoms may appear soon after the infusion or a few days later. The condition occurs between 4 to 50% of patients who receive intravenous vancomycin to treat an infection.
The symptoms include the following, per Medical News Today:
- a rash on the face, neck, and upper torso
- nausea and vomiting
- itching
- low blood pressure
- fever and chills
- weakness
- dizziness
- pain in the chest and back
- spasms in the muscles of the trunk
- angioedema, which is swelling under the skin
- rapid heart rate
- a rash on the arms and legs, in some cases
The rash will be red on lighter skin. People with darker skin, however, could be lighter, darker, or not present at all.
Even though VSF can occasionally be fatal, most cases won't result in serious consequences. After receiving treatment, symptoms typically go away, and most patients can continue receiving the same medication.
Red Man Syndrome Treatment And Prevention
When a patient experiences a reaction while receiving therapy, a doctor will most likely recommend the following:
- Halt the therapy right away
- Provide the person with oral or injectable antihistamines.
- Wait until the symptoms go away, which often takes 20 minutes
- Recommence therapy at a rate half its initial duration, usually over 2 hours
In case of severe symptoms, they may do the following:
- Check the subject for anaphylaxis or other possible causes of their symptoms.
- Provide intravenous antihistamines.
- To treat low blood pressure, provide saline solution intravenously.
Once the symptoms have subsided, the doctor might suggest a different antibiotic or give another dose of vancomycin-this time spread out over four hours rather than one. An antihistamine will also be administered one hour before the next dose to avoid a repeat reaction.
VFS and anaphylaxis might have similar symptoms. They are distinct diagnoses, though.
Anaphylaxis symptoms include:
- having trouble breathing
- wheeze brought on by airway edema or spasms
- hives
- a rough breathing sound is known as a stridor
- swelling
Anyone exhibiting these signs needs immediate medical attention. If they have an autoinjector, somebody nmustshow them how to use it. They must visit the emergency department as soon as possible if they are not already there.
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