teicoplanin at a glance
Medicine class
Glycopeptide antibiotic
Antibacterial spectrum
Primarily susceptible Gram-positive bacteria
Administration
Usually intravenous or intramuscular; selected indications use the reconstituted solution orally
Monitoring
Blood counts, kidney and liver function, hearing and serum concentrations may require monitoring
What is teicoplanin used for?
UK-licensed uses represented by the selected products include:
Complicated skin and soft-tissue infections
Bone and joint infections
Hospital-acquired or community-acquired pneumonia
Complicated urinary-tract infections
Infective endocarditis
Peritonitis associated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis
Bacteraemia associated with these infections
Alternative oral treatment for Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhoea and colitis
How does teicoplanin work?
Teicoplanin binds to building blocks used by susceptible bacteria to make peptidoglycan. This interrupts cell-wall construction and prevents bacterial growth.
teicoplanin preparations and strengths
How to take teicoplanin
Teicoplanin is normally prepared and administered by a healthcare professional into a vein or muscle. Neonates receive it by intravenous infusion only. For C. difficile-associated diarrhoea and colitis, the reconstituted solution is taken by mouth. Home intravenous treatment should occur only through an organised service with appropriate training, supplies and monitoring.
Follow the product-specific reconstitution and dilution instructions.
Do not mix teicoplanin directly with aminoglycosides in the same injection.
Do not self-administer unless formally trained and supported by the treating service.
teicoplanin side effects
Common or expected effects
- Rash, skin redness or itching
- Pain
- Fever
Get urgent medical advice
- Sudden breathing difficulty, wheezing, swelling or collapse suggesting anaphylaxis
- Blistering, peeling or pustular rash, particularly with fever or mouth, eye or genital sores
- Fever, severe chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers suggesting a serious blood-cell disorder
- Reduced urine or other signs of acute kidney problems
- New hearing loss, ringing in the ears or severe balance disturbance
- Seizures
teicoplanin in pregnancy
Human pregnancy information is limited. The selected SmPCs advise using teicoplanin only when clearly necessary because fetal kidney or inner-ear harm cannot be excluded; the prescriber should weigh this uncertainty against the risks of an inadequately treated infection.
teicoplanin while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether teicoplanin enters human milk. A prescriber-led assessment should consider the need for treatment, the benefits of breastfeeding and factors such as the infant's age, prematurity and health; specialist breastfeeding-medicines advice may be appropriate in complex cases.
teicoplanin interactions
Important concerns mainly involve additive kidney, hearing or nervous-system toxicity rather than metabolic interactions.
Aminoglycosides
Concurrent or sequential use may increase kidney or hearing risks; monitor carefully and never mix the solutions directly for injection.
Colistin, amphotericin B, ciclosporin or cisplatin
Combined exposure may increase nephrotoxic, neurotoxic or ototoxic effects and requires closer clinical and laboratory monitoring.
Common questions about teicoplanin
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is teicoplanin a penicillin antibiotic?
No. Teicoplanin is a glycopeptide antibiotic and has a different structure and mechanism from penicillins.
Which bacteria does teicoplanin treat?
It acts against susceptible Gram-positive bacteria, including some staphylococci, streptococci and enterococci. It does not cover Gram-negative bacteria.
Why might teicoplanin be combined with another antibiotic?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.