Merck Manual

Please confirm that you are a health care professional

honeypot link

Daptomycin

By

Brian J. Werth

, PharmD, University of Washington School of Pharmacy

Reviewed/Revised May 2022
View PATIENT EDUCATION

Daptomycin is a cyclic lipopeptide antibiotic Overview of Antibacterial Drugs Antibacterial drugs are derived from bacteria or molds or are synthesized de novo. Technically, “antibiotic” refers only to antimicrobials derived from bacteria or molds but is often (including... read more Overview of Antibacterial Drugs that has a unique mechanism of action. It binds to the bacterial cell membranes, causing rapid depolarization of the membrane due to potassium efflux and associated disruption of DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis; the result is rapid concentration-dependent bacterial death.

Indications for Daptomycin

Daptomycin has activity against the following:

  • Gram-positive bacteria (broad-spectrum activity)

  • Multidrug-resistant gram-positive bacteria

Daptomycin is used mainly for infections caused by

However, methicillin-resistant S. aureus and vancomycin-resistant enterococci may become resistant during daptomycin therapy, resulting in relapsing or persistent infection.

Daptomycin is inferior to ceftriaxone for pneumonia, presumably because daptomycin can bind to pulmonary surfactant, reducing daptomycin’s activity in the alveolar epithelial lining fluid.

Contraindications to Daptomycin

Daptomycin is contraindicated in patients who have had an allergic reaction to it.

Use During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Animal reproduction studies with daptomycin have not shown risk to the fetus, and data related to pregnancy in humans are limited to case reports. The extent to which daptomycin crosses the placenta is unknown. Depending on the indication and the severity of illness, using daptomycin during pregnancy may be reasonable.

Daptomycin enters breast milk, but oral availability is low; effects on breastfeeding infants are unknown.

Adverse Effects of Daptomycin

Adverse effects of daptomycin include

Chronic use may cause reversible organizing pneumonia with eosinophilic pulmonary infiltrates, presumably because daptomycin binds to pulmonary surfactant and thus accumulates in the alveolar spaces.

Skeletal myopathy due to daptomycin is often reversible but seldom occurs with once-a-day dosing. Nevertheless, rhabdomyolysis has been reported, and coadministration of daptomycin with other drugs associated with myopathy, such as hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA reductase inhibitors (statins), may increase risk.

Dosing Considerations for Daptomycin

Daptomycin is given parenterally once a day. Over 90% is bound to serum protein.

Dosing is adjusted for renal failure.

Because daptomycin can cause reversible skeletal myopathy, patients should be monitored for muscle pain or weakness, and serum creatine kinase levels should be checked weekly.

Drugs Mentioned In This Article

Drug Name Select Trade
Cubicin, Cubicin RF
FIRVANQ, Vancocin, Vancocin Powder, VANCOSOL
Ceftrisol Plus, Rocephin
View PATIENT EDUCATION
NOTE: This is the Professional Version. CONSUMERS: View Consumer Version
quiz link

Test your knowledge

Take a Quiz! 
iOS ANDROID
iOS ANDROID
iOS ANDROID
TOP