In the U.S.—

• Antibacterial, systemic

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.)

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.

• 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.

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.

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.

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.