Daptomycin (dap-toe-MYE-sin)

Treats infections, including complicated skin and skin structure infections (cSSSI) and infections in the bloodstream (bacteremia). This medicine is an antibiotic.

Brand Name(s):

Cubicin RF

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein. This medicine may be injected for 2 minutes (in adults only) or it may be given slowly, so the needle will have to remain in place for up to 60 minutes.
• A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
• Missed dose: Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some medicines can affect how daptomycin works. Tell your doctor if you are using medicine to lower cholesterol.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, lung or breathing problems (including pneumonia), muscle problems, nerve problems, or if you are on dialysis.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Severe diarrhea
  • Eosinophilic pneumonia
  • Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), which can damage organs, including the liver, kidney, or heart
  • Kidney problems (including tubulointerstitial nephritis)
  • Peripheral neuropathy
  • Muscle problems that can lead to kidney problems
• This medicine can cause diarrhea. Call your doctor if the diarrhea becomes severe, does not stop, or is bloody. Do not take any medicine to stop diarrhea until you have talked to your doctor. Diarrhea can occur 2 months or more after you stop taking this medicine. Diarrhea may occur 2 months or more after your treatment ends.
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
• Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
• Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blistering, peeling, red skin rash
• Change in how often or how much you urinate, bloody or cloudy urine, lower back or side pain, difficult or painful urination
• Chest pain, cough, fever, trouble breathing
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting
• Muscle pain, tenderness, or cramping
• Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet
• Rapid weight gain, swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
• Unusual tiredness or weakness

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Headache
• Mild diarrhea, stomach pain, vomiting
• Pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed
• Sore throat

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088