vancomycin

American  

[vang-kuh-mahy-sin, van-] / ˌvæŋ kəˈmaɪ sɪn, ˌvæn- /

noun

Pharmacology.

1. a bactericidal antibiotic, C 66 H 75 ClN 9 O 24 , produced by Streptomyces orientalis, used in the treatment of antibiotic-associated colitis and endocarditis.

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vancomycin British  

/ ˌvænkəʊˈmaɪsɪn /

noun

1. an antibiotic effective against most Gram-positive organisms. It is given by intravenous infusions for serious infections that are resistant to other antibiotics

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Etymology

Origin of vancomycin

First recorded in 1956; vanco- (of unexplained origin) + -mycin

Example Sentences

The drug is designed as a more powerful and efficient version of the widely used antibiotic vancomycin.

From Science Daily • Mar. 11, 2026

"In fact, the prevailing view has been that antibiotic resistance to these strains are unlikely to impact clinical outcomes, given the high concentrations of vancomycin in stools."

From Science Daily • Apr. 25, 2024

When the concentration of vancomycin decreases, some of the DNA returns to its original shape, which is also detected electrically.

From Science Daily • Oct. 3, 2023

The specific antibiotic they're tracking is vancomycin, which is used as a last line of defense to treat severe bacterial infections, said Alex Downs, a Jill Hruby Fellow and project lead.

From Science Daily • Oct. 3, 2023

Downs explained that when the DNA binds to the antibiotic vancomycin, it changes its shape, bringing the electrically sensitive chemical closer to the gold surface.

From Science Daily • Oct. 3, 2023