The Southern Medical Journal (SMJ) is the official, peer-reviewed journal of the Southern Medical Association. It has a multidisciplinary and inter-professional focus that covers a broad range of topics relevant to physicians and other healthcare specialists.

SMJ // Article

Case Report

Significant Absorption of Oral Vancomycin in a Patient with Clostridium difficile Colitis and Normal Renal Function

Authors: Sangita Aradhyula, MD, Farrin A. Manian, MD, Saad A.S. Hafidh, MD, Saqib S. Bhutto, MD, Martin A. Alpert, MD

Abstract

Orally-administered vancomycin is poorly absorbed in most patients, usually producing minimal or subtherapeutic serum concentrations. Bowel inflammation may enhance absorption of oral vancomycin, particularly in those with renal failure. A 77-year-old female with Clostridium difficile (C difficile) colitis and normal renal function was treated with high doses of oral vancomycin and achieved serum concentrations in the therapeutic range. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a patient with C difficile colitis and normal renal function to develop therapeutic serum concentrations following oral administration of vancomycin.

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