daptomycin

Generic Name: daptomycin (DAP to my sin)

Brand Names: Cubicin

What is daptomycin?

Daptomycin is an antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body.

Daptomycin is used to treat bacterial infections of the skin and underlying tissues.

Daptomycin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about daptomycin?

You should not use daptomycin if you are allergic to it.

Before using daptomycin, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, or a nerve or muscle disorder.

If you are using this medicine at home, be sure you understand how to properly mix and store the medication.

Call your doctor at once if you have a new or worsening cough, fever, trouble breathing, diarrhea that is watery or bloody, muscle pain or weakness, tingly feeling, fever or flu symptoms, dark colored urine, mouth sores, pain or burning when you urinate, urinating less than usual or not at all, pale skin, or feeling light-headed.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood may need to be tested often. Your kidney function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using daptomycin?

You should not use daptomycin if you are allergic to it.

To make sure you can safely use daptomycin, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

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  kidney disease; or

  
  


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  a nerve or muscle disorder.

  
  

FDA pregnancy category B. Daptomycin is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether daptomycin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I use daptomycin?

Daptomycin is injected into a vein through an IV. You may be shown how to use an IV at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles, IV tubing, and other items used to inject the medicine.

Daptomycin is usually given every 24 hours. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Daptomycin is a powder medicine that must be mixed with a liquid (diluent) before using it. If you are using the injections at home, be sure you understand how to properly mix and store the medication.

Gently swirl but do not shake the medication bottle when mixing or you may ruin the medicine. Prepare your dose in a syringe only when you are ready to give yourself an injection. Do not use the medication if it has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.

Each single use vial (bottle) of this medicine is for one use only. Throw away after one use, even if there is still some medicine left in it after injecting your dose.

Use each disposable needle only one time. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

Use this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Daptomycin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood may need to be tested often. Your kidney function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.

This medication can cause unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using daptomycin.

After mixing daptomycin with a diluent, store in the refrigerator and use it within 48 hours. Do not freeze. Mixed medicine must be used within 12 hours if you keep it at room temperature.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose of daptomycin.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while using daptomycin?

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, stop taking daptomycin and call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Daptomycin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

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  new or worsening cough, fever, trouble breathing;

  
  


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  pain or burning when you urinate;

  
  


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  diarrhea that is watery or bloody;

  
  


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  white patches or sores in your mouth or throat;

  
  


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  vaginal itching or discharge;

  
  


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  urinating less than usual or not at all;

  
  


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  muscle pain or weakness with fever or flu symptoms and dark colored urine;

  
  


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  pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating;

  
  


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  high potassium (slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, tingly feeling); or

  
  


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  low potassium (confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling).

  
  

Less serious side effects may include:

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  constipation, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting;

  
  


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  headache;

  
  


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  swelling;

  
  


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  back pain, pain in your arms or legs;

  
  


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  anxiety, sleep problems (insomnia);

  
  


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  mild itching or skin rash;

  
  


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  increased sweating; or

  
  


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  redness, discomfort, or irritation where the injection was given.

  
  

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Daptomycin Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Skin and Structure Infection:

Complicated: 4 mg/kg IV every 24 hours for 7 to 14 days

Usual Adult Dose for Endocarditis:

Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections, including those with right-sided infective endocarditis: 6 mg/kg IV every 24 hours for 2 to 6 weeks

Usual Adult Dose for Bacteremia:

Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections: 6 mg/kg IV every 24 hours for 2 to 6 weeks

What other drugs will affect daptomycin?

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

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  a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);

  
  


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  tobramycin (Nebcin); or

  
  


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  cholesterol-lowering medicines such as atorvastatin (Lipitor, Caduet), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor, Altoprev, Advicor), pravastatin (Pravachol), rosuvastatin (Crestor), or simvastatin (Zocor, Simcor, Vytorin);

  
  

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with daptomycin. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

More daptomycin resources

• Daptomycin Side Effects (in more detail)
• Daptomycin Dosage
• Daptomycin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Daptomycin Drug Interactions
• Daptomycin Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Daptomycin - Add your own review/rating

• daptomycin Intravenous Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Cubicin Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Cubicin Consumer Overview


• Daptomycin Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Daptomycin Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Daptomycin MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Compare daptomycin with other medications

• Bacteremia
• Endocarditis
• Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Infection
• Skin and Structure Infection
• Skin Infection

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about daptomycin.

See also: daptomycin side effects (in more detail)