Teicoplanin: Frequently Asked Questions Answered
What is Teicoplanin?
Teicoplanin belongs to the semisynthetic glycopeptide class of antibiotics. It consists of five major compounds, A2-1 to A2-5, and four minor compounds, RS-1 through RS-5. Besides having a glycopeptide core, teicoplanin A3-1, the side chains attached to D-glucosamine moiety differ in length and conformation. It is used in cases of gram-positive bacterial infections, for prophylactic measures, and in cases of penicillin allergies and methicillin-resistant infections. It is available in the market in various formulations such as tablets, capsules, syrups, creams, gel, injection, ointment, and liquid.
What are the uses of Teicoplanin?
Teicoplanin is a glycopeptide antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections, complicated skin and soft tissues infections, bone and joint infections, community-acquired pneumonia, community-acquired urinary tract infections, infective endocarditis, peritonitis, and severe bacteremia.
It is effective on hard and soft tissue infections, shows effective antibacterial activity against gram-positive bacteria, and has a spectrum similar to Vancomycin. Teicoplanin is advised in the use of both uncomplicated and complicated bacterial infections.