Daptomycin (Systemic)

Daptomycin (Systemic)
Description Return to top

Daptomycin (DAP-toe-mye-sin) belongs to the family of medicines called antibiotics. Antibiotics are medicines used in the treatment of infections caused by bacteria. They work by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. Daptomycin will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.

Daptomycin is used to treat complicated skin infections.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:

Parenteral
Injection (U.S.)

Before Using This Medicine Return to top

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For daptomycin, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to daptomycin. Also tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy—Daptomycin has not been studied in pregnant women. However, daptomycin has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animal studies.

Breast-feeding—It is not known whether daptomycin passes into breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast feeding. Mothers who are taking this medicine and who wish to breast feed should discuss this with their doctor

Children—Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of daptomycin in children with use in other age groups.

Older adults—Elderly people are especially sensitive to the effects of daptomycin. This may increase the chance of side effects during treatment.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other medical problems—The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of daptomycin. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Kidney disease—Your doctor may need to lower your dose

Liver disease—Studies on this medicine have not been done in patients with severe liver disease.

Muscle problems—May be worsened by daptomycin.

Proper Use of This Medicine Return to top

Dosing—

To help clear up your infection completely, daptomycin must be given for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better after a few days. Also, this medicine works best when there is a constant amount in the blood. To help keep the amount constant, daptomycin must be given on a regular schedule.

The dose of daptomycin will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of daptomycin. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

For injection dosage form:

For complicated skin infections caused by bacteria

Adults—4 mg per kg (1.82 mg per pound) injected into a vein every 24 hours.

Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose—

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take more than one dose each day.

Storage—

To store this medicine:

Keep out of the reach of children.
Store in the refrigerator.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Ask your health care professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Precautions While Using This Medicine Return to top

If you have muscle pain or weakness while receiving this medicine, check with your doctor right away.

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This especially includes nonprescription medicines, such as aspirin, and medicines for appetite control, asthma, colds, cough, hay fever, or sinus problems.

Side Effects of This Medicine Return to top

Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

Agitation; bladder pain; bloody or cloudy urine; blurred vision ; coma; confusion; decreased urine output; depression; difficult, burning, or painful urination; dizziness; faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly; frequent urge to urinate; headache; hostility; irritability; itching in genital or other skin areas; lethargy ; lower back or side pain; muscle twitching; nausea; nervousness; pale skin; pounding in the ears; rapid weight gain; scaling; seizures; slow or fast heartbeat; stupor; sweating; swelling of face, ankles, or hands; troubled breathing with exertion; usual tiredness or weakness; unusual bleeding or bruising

Frequency not determined

Abdominal or stomach cramps; abdominal tenderness; bloating; diarrhea, watery and severe, which may also be bloody; fever ; increased thirst; pain ; unusual weight loss; vomiting

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome.

More Common

bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at site of injection; diarrhea, mild; difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)

Less common

Itching skin; limb pain; difficult or labored breathing; shortness of breath; skin rash; sleeplessness ; tightness in chest; trouble sleeping; unable to sleep; wheezing

Rare

Acid or sour stomach; belching; difficulty in moving; heartburn; indigestion; muscle pain or stiffness ; pain in joints

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.

Brand Names Return to top

In the U.S.—
Cubicin

Category Return to top

Antibacterial, systemic

Developed: 01/21/2004

Medline Plus

...........

Daptomycin

daptomycin Drug information

Generic Name: daptomycin (DAP toe my sin)Brand Names: Cubicin

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

In some cases, daptomycin has been reported to cause damage to the muscles and/ or nerves.

Notify your doctor immediately if you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, or numbness or tingling. These may be early signs of muscle or nerve problems.

What is daptomycin?

Daptomycin is an antibiotic. It fights bacteria in the body.

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

Daptomycin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

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

Do not take daptomycin without first talking to your doctor if you have

kidney disease; or

nerve or muscle problems.

You may not be able to take daptomycin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Daptomycin is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take daptomycin without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether passes into breast milk. Do not take daptomycin without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take daptomycin?

Daptomycin is intended for administration by intravenous (into a vein) injection. Daptomycin is usually administered by a healthcare provider.

If you are using daptomycin at home, your healthcare provider will give you detailed instructions regarding preparation, administration, and storage of the medication.

Your healthcare provider will store daptomycin as directed by the manufacturer

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since the medication will be administered by a healthcare provider, missing a dose should not occur. Contact your doctor if a dose is missed.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose of daptomycin is suspected.

Symptoms of a daptomycin overdose are not know

What should I avoid while taking daptomycin?

There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while taking daptomycin unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

What are the possible side effects of daptomycin?

In some cases, daptomycin has been reported to cause damage to the muscles and/ or nerves. Notify your doctor immediately if you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, or numbness or tingling. These may be early signs of muscle or nerve problems.

If you experience a rare but serious allergic reaction (shortness of breath; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, face, or tongue; or hives), stop taking daptomycin and seek emergency medical attention.

Other, less serious side effects may also occur. Continue to take daptomycin and talk to your doctor if you experience

skin itching or rash;

redness, discomfort, or irritation at the injection site;

nausea; or

diarrhea.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect daptomycin?

Before taking daptomycin, talk to your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

warfarin (Coumadin);

tobramycin (Nebcin); or

an HMG CoA reductase inhibitor such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Altocor, Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), rosuvastatin (Crestor), or simvastatin (Zocor).

You may not be able to take daptomycin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with daptomycin. Do not take any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products, without first talking to your doctor during treatment with daptomycin.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has additional information about daptomycin written for health professionals that you may read.

Drugs.com