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Quick facts
- Drug class
- Lipopeptide Antibacterial [EPC]
- How it is given
- intravenous
- Type
- human prescription drug
- RxNorm ID
- 1996246
We do not publish dosing. How much of this medicine to take, how often, and for how long depends on your age, weight, kidney and liver function, other conditions and other medicines. That is a decision for the person who prescribes or dispenses it. Follow the directions on your own pack and ask your pharmacist if anything is unclear.
What it is used to treat
Daptomycin for injection is a lipopeptide antibacterial indicated for the treatment of: • Complicated skin and skin structure infections (cSSSI) in adult and pediatric patients (1 to 17 years of age) ( 1.1 ) and, • Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections (bacteremia), in adult patients including those with right-sided infective endocarditis, ( 1.2 ) • Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections (bacteremia) in pediatric patients (1 to 17 years of age). ( 1.3 ) Limitations of Use : • Daptomycin for injection is not indicated for the treatment of pneumonia. ( 1.4 ) • Daptomycin for injection is not indicated for the treatment of left-sided infective endocarditis due to S. aureus . ( 1.4 ) • Daptomycin for Injection is not recommended in pediatric patients younger than one year of age due to the risk of potential effects on muscular, neuromuscular, and/or nervous systems (either peripheral and/or central) observed in neonatal dogs. ( 1.4 ) To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of daptomycin for injection and other antibacterial drugs, daptomycin for injection should be used to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by bacteria. ( 1.5 ) 1.1 Complicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections (cSSSI) Daptomycin for injection is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients (1 to 17 years of age) with complicated skin and skin structure infections (cSSSI) caused by susceptible isolates of the following Gram-positive bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus (including methicillin-resistant isolates), Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis, and Enterococcus faecalis (vancomycin-susceptible isolates only). […]
About this medicine
Daptomycin for injection contains daptomycin, a cyclic lipopeptide antibacterial agent derived from the fermentation of Streptomyces roseosporus. The chemical name is N-decanoyl-L-tryptophyl-D-asparaginyl-L-aspartyl-L-threonylglycyl-L-ornithyl-L-aspartyl-D-alanyl-L-aspartylglycyl-D-seryl-threo - 3-methyl-L-glutamyl-3-anthraniloyl-L-alanine ε 1 -lactone. The chemical structure is: The empirical formula is C 72 H 101 N 17 O 26 ; the molecular weight is 1620.67. Daptomycin for injection is supplied in a single-dose vial as a sterile, preservative-free, pale yellow to light brown, lyophilized cake containing approximately 350 mg of daptomycin for intravenous (IV) use following reconstitution with 0.9% sodium chloride injection [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.7 )] . The only inactive ingredient is sodium hydroxide, which is used for pH adjustment; between 4.0 to 5.0. Freshly reconstituted solutions of daptomycin for injection range in color from pale yellow to light brown. structure
How it works
12.1 Mechanism of Action Daptomycin is an antibacterial drug [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.4 )] .
Who should not take it
Daptomycin for injection is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to daptomycin. [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. • Known hypersensitivity to daptomycin ( 4 )
Warnings and cautions
• Anaphylaxis/hypersensitivity reactions (including life-threatening): Discontinue daptomycin and treat signs/symptoms. ( 5.1 ) • Myopathy and rhabdomyolysis: Monitor CPK levels and follow muscle pain or weakness; if elevated CPK or myopathy occurs, consider discontinuation of daptomycin. ( 5.2 ) • Eosinophilic pneumonia: Discontinue daptomycin and consider treatment with systemic steroids. ( 5.3 ) • Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS): Discontinue daptomycin and institute appropriate treatment. ( 5.4 ) • Tubulointerstitial Nephritis (TIN): Discontinue daptomycin and institute appropriate treatment. ( 5.5 ) • Peripheral neuropathy: Monitor for neuropathy and consider discontinuation. ( 5.6 ) • Potential nervous system and/or muscular system effects in pediatric patients younger than 12 months: Avoid use of daptomycin in this age group. ( 5.7 ) • Clostridioides difficile –associated diarrhea: Evaluate patients if diarrhea occurs. ( 5.8 ) • Persisting or relapsing S. aureus bacteremia/endocarditis: Perform susceptibility testing and rule out sequestered foci of infection. ( 5.9 ) • Decreased efficacy was observed in adult patients with moderate baseline renal impairment. ( 5.10 ) 5.1 Anaphylaxis/Hypersensitivity Reactions Anaphylaxis/hypersensitivity reactions have been reported with the use of antibacterial agents, including daptomycin for injection, and may be life-threatening. If an allergic reaction to daptomycin for injection occurs, discontinue the drug and institute appropriate therapy [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )]. 5.2 Myopathy and Rhabdomyolysis Myopathy, defined as muscle aching or muscle weakness in conjunction with increases in creatine phosphokinase (CPK) values to greater than 10 times the upper limit of normal (ULN), has been reported with the use of daptomycin. Rhabdomyolysis, with or without acute renal failure, has been reported [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )] . Patients receiving daptomycin for injection should be monitored for the development of muscle pain or weakness, particularly of the distal extremities. […]
Reported side effects
The following adverse reactions are described, or described in greater detail, in other sections: Anaphylaxis/Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Myopathy and Rhabdomyolysis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Eosinophilic Pneumonia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Tubulointerstitial Nephritis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] Peripheral Neuropathy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] Increased International Normalized Ratio (INR)/Prolonged Prothrombin Time [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.11 ) and Drug Interactions ( 7.2 )] • Adult cSSSI Patients : The most common adverse reactions that occurred in ≥2% of adult cSSSI patients receiving daptomycin 4 mg/kg were diarrhea, headache, dizziness, rash, abnormal liver function tests, elevated creatine phosphokinase (CPK), urinary tract infections, hypotension, and dyspnea. ( 6.1 ) • Pediatric cSSSI Patients : The most common adverse reactions that occurred in ≥2% of pediatric patients receiving daptomycin were diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, pruritus, pyrexia, elevated CPK, and headache. ( 6.1 ) • Adult S. aureus bacteremia/endocarditis Patients : The most common adverse reactions that occurred in ≥5% of S. aureus bacteremia/endocarditis patients receiving daptomycin 6 mg/kg were sepsis, bacteremia, abdominal pain, chest pain, edema, pharyngolaryngeal pain, pruritus, increased sweating, insomnia, elevated CPK, and hypertension. ( 6.1 ) • Pediatric S. aureus bacteremia Patients : The most common adverse reactions that occurred in ≥5% of pediatric patients receiving daptomycin were vomiting and elevated CPK. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact NorthStar Rx LLC at 1-800-206-7821 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared with rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. […]
Interactions with other medicines
7.1 HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors In healthy adult subjects, concomitant administration of daptomycin and simvastatin had no effect on plasma trough concentrations of simvastatin, and there were no reports of skeletal myopathy [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . However, inhibitors of HMG-CoA reductase may cause myopathy, which is manifested as muscle pain or weakness associated with elevated levels of creatine phosphokinase (CPK). In the adult Phase 3 S. aureus bacteremia/endocarditis trial, some patients who received prior or concomitant treatment with an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor developed elevated CPK [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )] . Experience with the coadministration of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors and daptomycin in patients is limited; therefore, consideration should be given to suspending use of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors temporarily in patients receiving daptomycin. 7.2 Drug-Laboratory Test Interactions Clinically relevant plasma concentrations of daptomycin have been observed to cause a significant concentration-dependent false prolongation of prothrombin time (PT) and elevation of International Normalized Ratio (INR) when certain recombinant thromboplastin reagents are utilized for the assay. The possibility of an erroneously elevated PT/INR result due to interaction with a recombinant thromboplastin reagent may be minimized by drawing specimens for PT or INR testing near the time of trough plasma concentrations of daptomycin. However, sufficient daptomycin concentrations may be present at trough to cause interaction. If confronted with an abnormally high PT/INR result in a patient being treated with daptomycin, it is recommended that clinicians: Repeat the assessment of PT/INR, requesting that the specimen be drawn just prior to the next daptomycin dose (i.e., at trough concentration). If the PT/INR value obtained at trough remains substantially elevated above what would otherwise be expected, consider evaluating PT/INR utilizing an alternative method. Evaluate for other causes of abnormally elevated PT/INR results.
Use in specific groups
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Limited published data on use of daptomycin in pregnant women are insufficient to inform a drug-associated risk for major birth defects and miscarriage. In animal reproduction studies performed in rats and rabbits daptomycin was administered intravenously during organogenesis at doses 2 and 4-times, respectively, the recommended 6 mg/kg human dose (on a body surface area basis). No evidence of adverse developmental outcomes was observed. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. Data Animal Data In pregnant rats, daptomycin was administered intravenously at doses of 5, 20, or 75 mg/kg/day during the gestation days 6 to 18. Maternal body weight gain was decreased at 75 mg/kg/day. No embryo/fetal effects were noted at the highest dose of 75 mg/kg/day, a dose approximately 2-fold higher than in humans at the recommended maximum dose of 6 mg/kg (based on body surface area). In pregnant rabbits, daptomycin was administered intravenously at doses of 5, 20, or 75 mg/kg/day during the gestation days 6 to 15. Maternal body weight gain and food consumption were decreased at 75 mg/kg/day. No embryo/fetal effects were noted at the highest dose of 75 mg/kg/day, a dose approximately 4-fold higher than in humans at the maximum recommended dose of 6 mg/kg (based on body surface area). In a combined fertility and pre/postnatal development study, daptomycin was administered intravenously to female rats at doses of 2, 25, 75 mg/kg/day from 14-days pre-mating through lactation/postpartum day 20). No effects on pre/postnatal development were observed up to the highest dose of 75 mg/kg/day, a dose approximately 2-fold higher than the maximum recommended human dose of 6 mg/kg (based on body surface area) 1 . […]
If too much is taken
In the event of overdosage, supportive care is advised with maintenance of glomerular filtration. Daptomycin is cleared slowly from the body by hemodialysis (approximately 15% of the administered dose is removed over 4 hours) and by peritoneal dialysis (approximately 11% of the administered dose is removed over 48 hours). The use of high-flux dialysis membranes during 4 hours of hemodialysis may increase the percentage of dose removed compared with that removed by low-flux membranes.
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This page is built from the openFDA record of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approved labelling for this product, effective 19 April 2023. Label text has been shortened and reformatted for readability; safety wording has not been altered in meaning. FDA labelling describes products approved in the United States — brand names, strengths, formulations and approved uses may differ in your country. Always read the leaflet that comes with your own pack. PocketsInfo is not affiliated with, and is not endorsed by, the FDA. Retrieved 2026-07-30.