Vancomycin: a review

This article reviewed the past experience and updated the present data on vancomycin. In recent years, with the release of more purified preparations of vancomycin and new clinical problems facing the clinician (that is, increasing prevalence of serious methicillin-resistant staphylococcal infections; use of hemodialysis and CAPD; widespread use of prosthetic devices; aggressive chemotherapy), the indication for vancomycin use has increased dramatically. More information is needed on the distribution of vancomycin in body tissues and the incidence and mechanisms of toxicity. Close surveillance of in vitro susceptibility patterns will be necessary as widespread use of vancomycin continues to increase.