Vancomycin is often described as what kind of antibiotic due to its spectrum?

Vancomycin is often described as what kind of antibiotic due to its spectrum?

• A. Antibiotic of last resort
• B. Broad-spectrum antibiotic
• C. Orally absorbed for systemic infections
• D. Protein synthesis inhibitor

Answer: (A)

Vancomycin mainly targets Gram-positive bacteria, including resistant strains like MRSA, by inhibiting cell wall synthesis. This limited spectrum means it doesn’t cover many Gram-negative organisms, so it’s not a broad-spectrum antibiotic. In clinical practice, it’s reserved for serious Gram-positive infections where other options are ineffective or unsuitable, giving it the reputation as an antibiotic of last resort. Also, its use is typically IV for systemic infections (with oral form reserved for treating C. difficile in the gut, not for systemic disease), reinforcing why it’s considered a last-resort agent rather than a first-line broad-spectrum drug.

Vancomycin mainly targets Gram-positive bacteria, including resistant strains like MRSA, by inhibiting cell wall synthesis. This limited spectrum means it doesn’t cover many Gram-negative organisms, so it’s not a broad-spectrum antibiotic. In clinical practice, it’s reserved for serious Gram-positive infections where other options are ineffective or unsuitable, giving it the reputation as an antibiotic of last resort. Also, its use is typically IV for systemic infections (with oral form reserved for treating C. difficile in the gut, not for systemic disease), reinforcing why it’s considered a last-resort agent rather than a first-line broad-spectrum drug.