What is Ticorex 400 mg used for? A Look at Teicoplanin

October 7, 2025 •

4 min read

According to sources like Apollo Pharmacy and 1mg, Ticorex 400 mg, containing the active substance Teicoplanin, is a potent antibiotic used to treat severe bacterial infections, particularly in hospitalized patients. This medication is specifically effective against Gram-positive bacteria and is often reserved for serious infections that do not respond to other antibiotics.

Quick Summary

Ticorex 400 mg, with the active ingredient teicoplanin, is an antibiotic used for treating severe bacterial infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria, including pneumonia, endocarditis, and bone and joint infections. It works by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis and is administered via injection under medical supervision. The appropriate use is determined by a healthcare professional based on the specific infection and the patient's condition.

Key Points

Targeted Antibiotic: Ticorex 400 mg contains teicoplanin, a glycopeptide antibiotic used exclusively for severe infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria, including MRSA.
Combats Serious Infections: It is indicated for hospitalized patients with conditions like endocarditis, pneumonia, bone and joint infections, and sepsis.
Effective Against C. difficile: The oral version of teicoplanin is specifically used to treat Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea and colitis.
Inhibits Bacterial Growth: Its mechanism of action involves inhibiting the formation of the bacterial cell wall, which ultimately kills the bacteria.
Administered Under Supervision: The medication is given via intravenous or intramuscular injection by a healthcare professional, and should not be self-administered.
Monitoring is Key: Regular monitoring of kidney function and hearing is often necessary, especially with prolonged use.
Long Half-Life Advantage: Due to its long half-life, Ticorex often allows for potentially less frequent dosing after an initial phase.
Potential for Side Effects: Patients should be aware of potential side effects, including injection site reactions, fever, and rash, and report any severe reactions immediately.
Avoid Premature Discontinuation: It is crucial to complete the entire prescribed course of treatment to prevent the infection from returning and developing antibiotic resistance.

What is Ticorex 400 mg? The Role of Teicoplanin

Ticorex 400 mg is an injectable antibiotic medication. Its active ingredient, teicoplanin, belongs to a class of antibiotics known as glycopeptides. This class of drugs is primarily used to combat serious bacterial infections that are often resistant to more common antibiotics like penicillin and cephalosporins. As such, Ticorex is generally reserved for severe infections, particularly in a hospital setting where careful administration and monitoring can be performed.

Therapeutic Effects and Mechanism of Action

Ticorex works by targeting the cell wall synthesis of specific bacteria. The active ingredient, teicoplanin, binds to a key component of the bacterial cell wall, the D-alanyl-D-alanine (D-Ala-D-Ala) terminus. By binding to this site, it prevents the cross-linking of peptidoglycan, a vital structural component of the cell wall. This interference weakens the bacterial cell wall, leading to its eventual death and helping to clear the infection.

Unlike many broad-spectrum antibiotics, teicoplanin is a narrow-spectrum antibiotic, meaning it is only effective against specific types of bacteria. Its activity is specifically directed against Gram-positive bacteria, including notorious pathogens like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and certain species of Enterococcus and Clostridium. This targeted action makes it a valuable tool when a Gram-positive infection is confirmed or highly suspected.

Specific Indications for Ticorex 400 mg

Ticorex is used to treat a variety of severe infections caused by susceptible Gram-positive bacteria. Its use is determined by a healthcare professional based on the type and location of the infection.

Bone and joint infections: This includes conditions such as osteomyelitis (bone infection) and septic arthritis (joint infection).
Endocarditis: A serious and potentially life-threatening infection of the heart's inner lining and valves.
Skin and soft tissue infections: Complicated infections involving the skin and underlying soft tissues.
Respiratory tract infections: Severe infections such as pneumonia, which can affect the lungs.
Urinary tract infections: Treatment for complicated urinary tract infections.
Peritonitis: An infection of the abdominal lining, sometimes associated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).
Blood infections: Used to treat bacteremia and sepsis caused by susceptible Gram-positive pathogens.
Clostridium difficile infections: The oral form of teicoplanin can be used to treat diarrhea and colitis caused by this bacteria. The injectable form is not used for this purpose as it is poorly absorbed orally.

Administration of Ticorex

Ticorex 400 mg is administered via injection by a healthcare professional, either intravenously (IV) as a drip or direct injection, or intramuscularly (IM). The appropriate use and duration of treatment depend on the severity of the infection, patient weight, and kidney function.

Treatment protocols often involve different phases to achieve effective drug levels, followed by a maintenance phase. For oral administration to treat C. difficile, a specific approach is followed.

Key Considerations and Potential Side Effects

Like all antibiotics, Ticorex carries a risk of side effects. While generally well-tolerated, some individuals may experience adverse reactions. Regular monitoring, particularly of kidney function and hearing, is often necessary during treatment, especially for hospitalized patients.

Common side effects include:

Pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site.
Diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting.
Headache and dizziness.
Fever and rash.
Abnormalities in blood tests, such as decreased platelet count or increased liver enzymes.

Serious but less common side effects can also occur, and medical attention should be sought immediately if they arise:

Severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis.
Severe skin reactions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis.
Kidney problems, including renal failure.
Hearing problems, including hearing loss and tinnitus.

Comparison with a Similar Antibiotic: Ticorex vs. Vancomycin


Feature	Ticorex (Teicoplanin)	Vancomycin	Comparison
Drug Class	Glycopeptide antibiotic	Glycopeptide antibiotic	Both are in the same class, with a similar spectrum of activity against Gram-positive bacteria.
Administration	Can be given intravenously (IV) or intramuscularly (IM), and orally for C. difficile.	Primarily given IV; only available orally for C. difficile.	Ticorex offers IM flexibility.
Dosing Frequency	Typically allows for once-daily dosing after a loading phase, due to its long half-life.	Often requires more frequent dosing (e.g., every 12 hours) due to a shorter half-life.	Ticorex may be more convenient for patients and healthcare providers.
Monitoring	Requires monitoring of kidney function and hearing, especially in patients with pre-existing conditions or on prolonged therapy.	Requires similar monitoring of kidney function and hearing.	Monitoring requirements are similar.
Safety Profile	Often associated with fewer side effects and infusion-related reactions (e.g., Red Man syndrome) compared to vancomycin.	Higher incidence of Red Man syndrome, a reaction caused by rapid IV infusion.	Ticorex is generally considered to have a more favorable safety profile in this regard.
Availability	Available in many countries worldwide (e.g., Europe, India), but not approved by the FDA for commercial use in the U.S.	Widely available and approved for use in the U.S. and other countries.	Availability depends on geographic location.

Conclusion

Ticorex 400 mg is an important glycopeptide antibiotic, with its active ingredient teicoplanin, primarily used for treating severe Gram-positive bacterial infections. Its targeted action, relatively favorable safety profile compared to similar drugs like vancomycin, and once-daily dosing potential make it a valuable option for treating serious conditions such as endocarditis, pneumonia, and bone and joint infections. Administration requires careful supervision by a healthcare professional, with the appropriate use determined based on the specific infection and patient factors. Patients should be aware of potential side effects and the importance of completing the full course of treatment to ensure effectiveness and prevent resistance. As with any serious medication, Ticorex should only be used under a doctor's guidance.

When to Consider Oral Teicoplanin

It is important to note the different uses of injectable and oral teicoplanin. While the injection is used for systemic, severe infections, the oral formulation is reserved for treating gastrointestinal infections, specifically Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea and colitis. This is because oral teicoplanin is poorly absorbed by the body, so it remains in the gut to fight the local infection. It is not effective for systemic infections when taken orally.

For more detailed product information, consult the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) for Teicoplanin, such as the document provided by the European Medicines Agency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ticorex treats severe bacterial infections caused by specific Gram-positive bacteria. These include infections of the bones, joints, heart (endocarditis), lungs (pneumonia), urinary tract, and skin.

Ticorex 400 mg is administered by a healthcare professional through an injection, either intravenously into a vein or intramuscularly into a muscle. For certain intestinal infections, it can be taken orally as a solution.

The active ingredient in Ticorex 400 mg is teicoplanin, a glycopeptide antibiotic that works by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis.

No, Ticorex is an antibiotic and is not effective against viral infections, such as the common cold or flu. It is specifically designed to kill bacteria.

While most side effects are mild and temporary, serious reactions can occur. These include severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), kidney problems (renal failure), hearing loss, and severe skin conditions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Report any such symptoms immediately to a doctor.

Yes, Ticorex can be used in children over 2 months old under a doctor's prescription. The appropriate use is carefully considered based on the child's weight and kidney function.

Ticorex is in the same class as vancomycin but is often preferred due to its longer half-life, which may allow for less frequent dosing and a potentially lower risk of infusion-related reactions like Red Man syndrome.

If you miss a scheduled dose, inform your doctor or nurse immediately. They will advise you on the appropriate course of action, as skipping doses could affect treatment effectiveness.

No, it is crucial to complete the full course of treatment as prescribed by your doctor. Stopping an antibiotic early can lead to the infection returning and potentially becoming resistant to the medication.

Ticorex may cause side effects such as dizziness and headaches. You should exercise caution and avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you know how the medication affects you.