Call to Pharmacists: End Use of “Red Man Syndrome”

Red Man Syndrome is a term used for an adverse event attributed to vancomycin infusion. Based on the presentation within white patients, the term is imprecise at best and can lead to suboptimal classification and management. Recent calls have advocated for the discontinuation of the use of this terminology. Pharmacists should take the lead in advocating for this change.

Red man syndrome caused by intracavernous irrigation with vancomycin at the time of placing penile implants

To the Editor, Erectile dysfunction is a condition that affects more than half of men between 40 and 70 years of age. Penile prosthesis (PP) implant is recognized, at present, as the most effective option to obtain an artificial erection satisfactory for sexual intercourse in those patients in which the pharmacological approach is contraindicated or ineffective. [...]

Vancomycin induced cardiac arrest: a case report

Background Rapid intravenous administration of vancomycin may manifest with histaminergic responses with clinical features ranging from mild rashes, pruritus and even shock. This case reports of a child, who was accidentally given intravenous vancomycin within minutes and had a cardiac arrest. Case presentation A 9-year-old Asian girl who was scheduled for a limb salvage surgery, received vancomycin preoperatively. As a result of rapid infusion of the drug, the patient developed flushing, pruritus and had respiratory distress with hypotension leading to asystole. However, prompt detection and immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation revived the patient in time following which sound recovery ensued. We recognised inadvertent brisk infusion of vancomycin as the culprit with strong suspicion of Red Man Syndrome. Conclusion Red Man Syndrome, though rarely encountered, can always be life threatening. With a surge in the use of vancomycin, adverse effects associated with its use also rises. So a comprehensive knowledge regarding its rationale use, adverse effects and its prompt management in personnel prescribing it, can be life saving.

Allergic Reaction Following Insertion of Vancomycin Loaded in Bone Cement

Vancomycin bead is an important ancillary treatment for osteomyelitis caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). However, red-man syndrome, which can be a life-threatening complication of vancomycin, may occur from the use of vancomycin beads albeit rarely. We report our first case of red-man syndrome caused by vancomycin bead's insertion for chronic osteomyelitis. Symptomatic treatment was not effective and removal of the vancomycin beads seems to be the best treatment for this condition.