Abstract

Red neck syndrome which is a side effect of vancomycin, is associated with excessive release of histamine and is sometimes a life threatening complication. In patients who develop red neck syndrome, if necessary, vancomycin therapy may be continued with corticosteroids and antihistamines or an alternative antibiotic may be started. In this report, a 54 year-old female patient who was started vancomycin therapy because of penicillin resistant pneumococcal meningitis and developed red neck syndrome on 8th day of the therapy was presented. It was learned that the patient’s vancomycin infusion that morning was shorter than one hour. Vancomycin therapy was stopped and intravenous linezolide was started. In conclusion, red neck syndrome may develop due to rapid infusion of vancomycin. In this patients linezolide may be used as alternative therapy.

Authors and Affiliations