Glycopeptide Antibiotics
11 compounds in this family, each with its recorded mechanism, routes of administration, safety notes and references to published literature.
- BalhimycinBalhimycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic produced by the actinomycete Amycolatopsis balhimycina. It belongs to the family of glycopeptide antibiotics and is investigated primarily for its activity against Gram‑positive bacteria such as methicillin‑resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The compound remains in the research stage, with no approved therapeutic use, and is of interest for both its antibacterial potential and as a model for biosynthetic engineering.
- BleomycinBleomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic that is also used as an anticancer agent. It is administered by injection (intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, or intrapleural) and is a component of combination chemotherapy regimens such as BEP for ovarian sex‑cord stromal tumors and ABVD for Hodgkin lymphoma. Clinical trials have evaluated these regimens for disease control, while limited topical studies have explored bleomycin for oral lesions.
- Bleomycin A2Bleomycin A2 is a glycopeptide antibiotic that also functions as an antineoplastic agent. It is administered by injection (intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intracavitary or intratumoral) and is approved for prescription use. Clinically it is employed in systemic chemotherapy for certain cancers and, more recently, as an intralesional sclerosant for lymphatic and venous vascular malformations.
- Bleomycin A6Bleomycin A6 is a glycopeptide antibiotic that functions as an antineoplastic drug. It is approved for prescription use and is administered by parenteral routes (intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intralesional). Pre‑clinical work has shown activity against several solid tumours, and early‑phase clinical testing has explored its safety in humans.
- Cefilavancin
- DalbavancinDalbavancin is a synthetic lipoglycopeptide antibiotic approved for prescription use, administered intravenously. It is primarily indicated for acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) and is being investigated for more complex Gram‑positive infections such as bone and joint infections, osteomyelitis, and infective endocarditis, owing to its prolonged half‑life and extensive tissue distribution.
- OritavancinOritavancin is a prescription‑only lipoglycopeptide antibiotic administered intravenously. It is approved for the treatment of serious Gram‑positive infections and is being explored for conditions such as bone and joint infections, infective endocarditis, and persistent adenotonsillar disease where bacterial biofilms play a role.
- SulglicotideSulglicotide is an oral, prescription‑only polysulfated glycopeptide used as a gastric mucosal protectant. It is employed to alleviate symptoms and improve endoscopic findings in various dyspeptic conditions, including chronic superficial gastritis, non‑ulcer dyspepsia, duodenogastric reflux, and to lessen mucosal injury caused by non‑steroidal anti‑inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
- TeicoplaninTeicoplanin is a prescription glycopeptide antibiotic administered intravenously or intramuscularly for serious Gram‑positive infections, including those caused by methicillin‑resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin‑resistant enterococci (VRE). Clinical literature highlights its use via subcutaneous infusion as an alternative to intravenous therapy, especially when venous access is limited, and notes its role in therapeutic drug monitoring for optimal dosing.
- TelavancinTelavancin is a lipoglycopeptide antibiotic administered intravenously and approved for the treatment of complicated skin and skin‑structure infections, as well as hospital‑acquired and ventilator‑associated bacterial pneumonia caused by Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin‑resistant strains (MRSA). It is prescribed when other agents may be ineffective or unsuitable, offering a bactericidal option for serious Gram‑positive infections.
- VancomycinVancomycin is a prescription‑only glycopeptide antibiotic used primarily for serious infections caused by Gram‑positive bacteria, including Clostridioides difficile colitis and methicillin‑resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pneumonia. It is administered intravenously, orally, or intrathecally, depending on the infection site. Clinical trials show it achieves cure rates around 60 %–90 % for C. difficile infection, while meta‑analyses indicate comparable mortality to linezolid for MRSA pneumonia but lower clinical cure rates. Resistance, especially vancomycin‑resistant enterococci, is increasing worldwide.