Daptomycin
Also known as: Cubicin, Cubicin RF
A cyclic lipopeptide antibiotic for complicated skin infections and S. aureus bloodstream infections. FDA-approved as Cubicin. Prescription only.
Last updated
Mechanism of Action
Daptomycin is a cyclic lipopeptide that inserts into the cell membrane of gram-positive bacteria in a calcium-dependent way. It disrupts the membrane, causing ion leakage and depolarization, which halts DNA, RNA and protein synthesis and kills the cell. Lung surfactant inactivates it, which is why it is not used for pneumonia.
- Half-life
- ~8–9 hours (IV, normal kidney function)
- Administration Routes
- Intravenous
- Research Status
- Clinical
Reported Benefits
- Treats complicated skin and skin-structure infections
- Treats Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia, including right-sided endocarditis
- Active against MRSA and many vancomycin-resistant enterococci
Potential Side Effects
- Muscle pain or weakness with raised CPK (myopathy; rhabdomyolysis is rare)
- Eosinophilic pneumonia
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Diarrhea, including C. difficile
- Severe skin reactions (rare)
Common Dosing
Daptomycin is given intravenously once daily by clinicians, with the dose based on body weight, the type of infection and kidney function. Patients usually have weekly CPK checks to watch for muscle toxicity. The prescribing clinician sets and supervises dosing.
The dosing information above is aggregated from research literature and anecdotal community reports for educational purposes only. It is not a recommendation, prescription, or medical advice. Peptides are sold as research chemicals only and are not intended for human use.
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to daptomycin
- Not indicated for pneumonia (inactivated by lung surfactant)
- Caution with statins and in kidney impairment because of muscle toxicity risk
No documented stacking partners for Daptomycin yet.
- View
Daptomycin versus standard therapy for bacteremia and endocarditis caused by Staphylococcus aureus
2006
- View
The safety and efficacy of daptomycin for the treatment of complicated skin and skin-structure infections
2004
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Mechanism of Action and Resistance to Daptomycin in Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococci
2016