Telavancin hydrochloride

What Telavancin hydrochloride is used for

Quoted from the “Indications and Usage” section of the FDA-approved label.

VIBATIV is a lipoglycopeptide antibacterial drug indicated for the treatment of the following infections in adult patients caused by designated susceptible bacteria: Complicated skin and skin structure infections (cSSSI) Hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (HABP/VABP) caused by susceptible isolates of Staphylococcus aureus. …

— FDA label: Vibativ, Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc., effective December 19, 2025. Read the full label on DailyMed →

Label quoted: the one for the most common form (injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, intravenous), Vibativ, Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc.; it covers 1 product in the FDA NDC Directory. The side effects, interactions, dosage and pregnancy quotes below come from this same label.

This page is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you start, stop or change any medicine.

Conditions named on the label

These condition names appear word for word in the label’s “Indications and Usage” text (matched with a reviewed table). Each page lists hospitals whose own websites name the condition.

Related medical specialties

Boxed warning

A boxed warning (“black box”) is the FDA’s strongest warning on a drug label, for serious or life-threatening risks.

This label has a boxed warning. Its heading: WARNING: INCREASED MORTALITY IN HABP/VABP PATIENTS WITH PRE-EXISTING MODERATE OR SEVERE RENAL IMPAIRMENT, NEPHROTOXICITY, POTENTIAL ADVERSE DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOMES. Read it on the full label →

Telavancin hydrochloride boxed warning: what the label says

Quoted from the boxed warning of the FDA-approved label.

WARNING: INCREASED MORTALITY IN HABP/VABP PATIENTS WITH PRE-EXISTING MODERATE OR SEVERE RENAL IMPAIRMENT, NEPHROTOXICITY, POTENTIAL ADVERSE DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOMES Patients with pre-existing moderate/severe renal impairment (CrCl ≤ 50 mL/min) who were treated with VIBATIV for hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia/ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (HABP/VABP) had increased mortality observed versus vancomycin.

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Use of VIBATIV in patients with pre-existing moderate/severe renal impairment (CrCl ≤ 50 mL/min) should be considered only when the anticipated benefit to the patient outweighs the potential risk [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1, 8.4)]. Nephrotoxicity: New onset or worsening renal impairment has occurred. Monitor renal function in all patients [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)]. Embryofetal Toxicity: VIBATIV may cause fetal harm. In animal reproduction studies, adverse developmental outcomes were observed in 3 animal species at clinically relevant doses. Verify pregnancy status in females of reproductive potential prior to initiating VIBATIV. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with VIBATIV and for 2 days after the final dose [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1), and Use in Specific Populations (8.1, 8.3)]. WARNING: INCREASED MORTALITY IN HABP/VABP PATIENTS WITH PRE-EXISTING MODERATE OR SEVERE RENAL IMPAIRMENT, NEPHROTOXICITY, and EMBRYO-FETAL TOXICITY See full prescribing information for the complete boxed warning Patients with pre-existing moderate/severe renal impairment (CrCl≤50 mL/min) who were treated with VIBATIV for hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia/ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia had increased mortality observed versus vancomycin. Use of VIBATIV in patients with pre-existing moderate/severe renal impairment (CrCl ≤50 mL/min) should be considered only when the anticipated benefit to the patient outweighs the potential risk. (5.1, 8.4) Nephrotoxicity: New onset or worsening renal impairment has occurred. Monitor renal function in all patients. (5.3) Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: VIBATIV may cause fetal harm. In animal reproduction studies, adverse developmental outcomes were observed in 3 animal species at clinically relevant doses. Verify pregnancy status prior to initiating treatment and advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception (5.4, 8.1, 8.3).

— FDA label: Vibativ, Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc., effective December 19, 2025. Read the full label on DailyMed →

Telavancin hydrochloride side effects

Quoted from the “Adverse Reactions” section of the FDA-approved label. Tell your doctor about any side effect that worries you.

The following serious adverse reactions are also discussed elsewhere in the labeling: Nephrotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)] Infusion-related reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)] Clostridium difficile -associated diarrhea [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8)] Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

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Most common adverse reaction (≥10% of patients treated with VIBATIV) in the HABP/VABP trials is diarrhea; in the cSSSI trials, the most common adverse reactions (≥10% of patients treated with VIBATIV) include: taste disturbance, nausea, vomiting, and foamy urine. (6.1) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc. at 1-877-683-6110 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Complicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections The two Phase 3 cSSSI clinical trials (Trial 1 and Trial 2) for VIBATIV included 929 adult patients treated with VIBATIV at 10 mg/kg IV once daily. The mean age of patients treated with VIBATIV was 49 years (range 18-96). There was a slight male predominance (56%) in patients treated with VIBATIV, and patients were predominantly Caucasian (78%). In the cSSSI clinical trials, <1% (8/929) patients who received VIBATIV died and <1% (8/938) patients treated with vancomycin died. Serious adverse events were reported in 7% (69/929) of patients treated with VIBATIV and most commonly included renal, respiratory, or cardiac events. Serious adverse events were reported in 5% (43/938) of vancomycin-treated patients, and most commonly included cardiac, respiratory, or infectious events. Treatment discontinuations due to adverse events occurred in 8% (72/929) of patients treated with VIBATIV, the most common events being nausea and rash (~1% each). Treatment discontinuations due to adverse events occurred in 6% (53/938) of vancomycin-treated patients, the most common events being rash and pruritus (~1% each). The most common adverse events occurring in ≥10% of VIBATIV-treated patients observed in the VIBATIV Phase 3 cSSSI trials were taste disturbance, nausea, vomiting, and foamy urine. Table 4 displays the incidence of treatment-emergent adverse drug reactions reported in ≥2% of patients treated with VIBATIV possibly related to the drug. Table 4: Incidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Drug Reactions Reported in ≥2% of Patients Treated in cSSSI Trial 1 and Trial 2 *Described as metallic or soapy taste. VIBATIV (N=929) Vancomycin (N=938) Body as a Whole Rigors 4% 2% Digestive System Nausea 27% 15% Vomiting 14% 7% Diarrhea 7% 8% Metabolic and Nutritional Decreased appetite 3% 2% Nervous System Taste disturbance * 33% 7% Renal System Foamy urine 13% 3% HABP/VABP Two randomized, double-blind Phase 3 trials (Trial 1 and Trial 2) for VIBATIV included 1,503 adult patients treated with VIBATIV at 10 mg/kg IV once daily or vancomycin at 1 g IV twice daily. The mean age of patients treated with VIBATIV was 62 years (range 18-100) with 69% of the patients white and 65% male. In the combined VIBATIV group, 29% were VAP and 71% were HAP patients.

— FDA label: Vibativ, Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc., effective December 19, 2025. This is part of the section. Read the full label on DailyMed →

Telavancin hydrochloride drug interactions

Quoted from the “Drug Interactions” section of the FDA-approved label. Tell your pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin and herbal product you take.

Drug-Laboratory Test Interactions Effects of Telavancin on Coagulation Test Parameters Telavancin binds to the artificial phospholipid surfaces added to common anticoagulation tests, thereby interfering with the ability of the coagulation complexes to assemble on the surface of the phospholipids and promote clotting in vitro. These effects appear to depend on the type of reagents used in commercially available assays.

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Thus, when measured shortly after completion of an infusion of VIBATIV, increases in the PT, INR, aPTT, and ACT have been observed. These effects dissipate over time, as plasma concentrations of telavancin decrease. Urine Protein Tests Telavancin interferes with urine qualitative dipstick protein assays, as well as quantitative dye methods (e.g., pyrogallol red-molybdate). However, microalbumin assays are not affected and can be used to monitor urinary protein excretion during VIBATIV treatment.

— FDA label: Vibativ, Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc., effective December 19, 2025. Read the full label on DailyMed →

Telavancin hydrochloride dosage

Quoted from the “Dosage and Administration” section of the FDA-approved label. Your own dose is the one your doctor prescribes: do not change it on your own.

Complicated skin and skin structure infections (cSSSI): 10 mg/kg by IV infusion over 60 minutes every 24 hours for 7 to 14 days (2.1) Dosage adjustment in patients with renal impairment. (2.3) Hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (HABP/VABP): 10 mg/kg by IV infusion over 60 minutes every 24 hours for 7 to 21 days (2.2) Dosage adjustment in patients with renal impairment.

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(2.3) a Calculate using the Cockcroft-Gault formula and ideal body weight (IBW). Use actual body weight if < IBW. (12.3) Creatinine Clearance a (CrCl) (mL/min) VIBATIV Dosage Regimen >50 10 mg/kg every 24 hours 30-50 7.5 mg/kg every 24 hours 10-<30 10 mg/kg every 48 hours Insufficient data are available to make a dosing recommendation for patients with CrCl <10 mL/min, including patients on hemodialysis. 2.1 Complicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections The recommended dosing for VIBATIV is 10 mg/kg administered over a 60-minute period in patients ≥18 years of age by intravenous infusion once every 24 hours for 7 to 14 days. The duration of therapy should be guided by the severity and site of the infection and the patient's clinical progress. 2.2 Hospital-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia/Ventilator-Associated Bacterial Pneumonia (HABP/VABP) The recommended dosing for VIBATIV is 10 mg/kg administered over a 60-minute period in patients ≥18 years of age by intravenous infusion once every 24 hours for 7 to 21 days. The duration of therapy should be guided by the severity of the infection and the patient's clinical progress. 2.3 Patients with Renal Impairment Because telavancin is eliminated primarily by the kidney, a dosage adjustment is required for patients whose creatinine clearance is ≤50 mL/min, as listed in Table 1 [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. Table 1: Dosage Adjustment in Adult Patients with Renal Impairment a Calculate using the Cockcroft-Gault formula and ideal body weight (IBW). Use actual body weight if it is less than IBW. (12.3) Creatinine Clearance a (CrCl) (mL/min) VIBATIV Dosage Regimen >50 10 mg/kg every 24 hours 30-50 7.5 mg/kg every 24 hours 10-<30 10 mg/kg every 48 hours There is insufficient information to make specific dosage adjustment recommendations for patients with end-stage renal disease (CrCl <10 mL/min), including patients undergoing hemodialysis. 2.4 Preparation and Administration 750 mg vial: Reconstitute the contents of a VIBATIV 750 mg vial with 45 mL of 5% Dextrose Injection, USP; Sterile Water for Injection, USP; or 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP. The resultant solution has a concentration of 15 mg/mL (total volume of approximately 50.0 mL). To minimize foaming during product reconstitution, allow the vacuum of the vial to pull the diluent from the syringe into the vial. Do not forcefully inject the diluent into the vial. Do not forcefully shake the vial and do not shake final infusion solution.

— FDA label: Vibativ, Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc., effective December 19, 2025. This is part of the section. Read the full label on DailyMed →

Telavancin hydrochloride in pregnancy

Quoted from the pregnancy part of the FDA-approved label. Ask your doctor before you take any medicine while pregnant or planning a pregnancy.

Risk Summary Based on findings in animal reproduction studies, VIBATIV may cause fetal harm. There are no available data on VIBATIV use in pregnant women to evaluate for a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes.

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In embryo-fetal development studies in rats, rabbits, and minipigs, telavancin demonstrated the potential to cause limb and skeletal malformations when given intravenously during the period of organogenesis at doses providing approximately 1- to 2-fold the human exposure at the maximum recommended clinical dose (see Data). Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. Data Animal Data In embryo-fetal development studies in rats, rabbits, and minipigs, telavancin demonstrated the potential to cause limb and skeletal malformations when given intravenously during the period of organogenesis at doses up to 150, 45, or 75 mg/kg/day, respectively. These doses resulted in exposure levels approximately 1- to 2-fold the human exposure (AUC) at the maximum recommended clinical dose. Malformations observed at <1% (but absent or at lower rates in historical or concurrent controls), included brachymelia (rats and rabbits), syndactyly (rats, minipigs), adactyly (rabbits), and polydactyly (minipigs). Additional findings in rabbits included flexed front paw and absent ulna, and in the minipigs included misshapen digits and deformed front leg. Fetal body weights were decreased in rats. In a prenatal/perinatal development study, pregnant rats received intravenous telavancin at up to 150 mg/kg/day (approximately the same AUC as observed at the maximum clinical dose) from the start of organogenesis through lactation. Offspring showed decreases in fetal body weight and an increase in the number of stillborn pups. Brachymelia was also observed. Developmental milestones and fertility of the pups were unaffected.

— FDA label: Vibativ, Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc., effective December 19, 2025. Read the full label on DailyMed →

When Telavancin hydrochloride should not be used

Quoted from the “Contraindications” section of the FDA-approved label.

Intravenous Unfractionated Heparin Sodium (4.1, 5.5, 7.1) Known hypersensitivity to VIBATIV (4.2, 5.6, 6.2) 4.1 Intravenous Unfractionated Heparin Sodium Use of intravenous unfractionated heparin sodium is contraindicated with VIBATIV administration because the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) test results are expected to be artificially prolonged for 0 to 18 hours after VIBATIV administration [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) and Drug Interactions (7.1)]. 4.2 Known Hypersensitivity to VIBATIV VIBATIV is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to telavancin.

— FDA label: Vibativ, Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc., effective December 19, 2025. Read the full label on DailyMed →

Telavancin hydrochloride overdose

Quoted from the “Overdosage” section of the FDA-approved label. If someone may have taken too much, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (or 911 in an emergency).

In the event of overdosage, VIBATIV should be discontinued and supportive care is advised with maintenance of glomerular filtration and careful monitoring of renal function. Following administration of a single dose of VIBATIV 7.5 mg/kg to subjects with end-stage renal disease, approximately 5.9% of the administered dose of telavancin was recovered in the dialysate following 4 hours of hemodialysis.

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However, no information is available on the use of hemodialysis to treat an overdosage [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. The clearance of telavancin by continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) was evaluated in an in vitro study [see Nonclinical Toxicology (13.2)]. Telavancin was cleared by CVVH and the clearance of telavancin increased with increasing ultrafiltration rate. However, the clearance of telavancin by CVVH has not been evaluated in a clinical study; thus, the clinical significance of this finding and use of CVVH to treat an overdosage is unknown.

— FDA label: Vibativ, Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc., effective December 19, 2025. Read the full label on DailyMed →

Forms and how it is given

Companies that list this medicine

Labelers in the FDA NDC Directory: the company named on the package (maker or distributor), with the number of prescription products.

• Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc.1 product

FDA approval history

• NDA: New Drug Application: how a new (usually brand-name) medicine is approved.

Shortage status

The FDA drug shortage list does not show these products.

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Recalls

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Official identifiers

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Sources

1. FDA-approved label on DailyMed (National Library of Medicine) — Vibativ, Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc., effective December 19, 2025; via openFDA, FDA data exported October 30, 2026, retrieved October 31, 2026
2. NDC Directory (openFDA) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), FDA data exported October 30, 2026, retrieved October 31, 2026
3. Drugs@FDA (openFDA) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), FDA data exported October 30, 2026, retrieved October 31, 2026
4. Drug recall enforcement reports (openFDA) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), FDA data exported October 27, 2026, retrieved October 31, 2026
5. Drug shortages (openFDA) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), FDA data exported October 30, 2026, retrieved October 31, 2026

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