daptomycin

Pronunciation:	DAP to my sin
Brand:	Cubicin

What is the most important information I should know about daptomycin?

Before using daptomycin, tell your doctor if you are taking a blood thinner or a cholesterol-lowering medication.

Daptomycin is given as an injection into a vein. You may be given instructions on how to use your injections at home. Do not use this medicine at home if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of needles and other items used in giving the medicine.

Use this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Daptomycin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Call your doctor at once if you have any numbness or tingling, or any unusual muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

What is daptomycin?

Daptomycin is an antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body.

Daptomycin is used to treat bacterial infections of the skin and underlying tissues.

Daptomycin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking daptomycin?

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

kidney disease; or
a nerve or muscle disorder.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use daptomycin, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether daptomycin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

This medicine should not be used in a child younger than 18 years old.

How should I take daptomycin?

Daptomycin is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. The medicine must be given slowly through an IV infusion, and can take up to 30 minutes to complete.

Daptomycin is usually given every 24 hours for 1 to 2 weeks. Follow your doctor's instructions.

You may be given instructions on how to use your injections at home. Do not use this medicine at home if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of needles and other items used in giving the medicine.

Use each needle and syringe only one time. With your medicine you will receive a puncture-proof container for used needles and syringes. If you do not receive a container, ask your pharmacist for one. Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets. Your pharmacist can tell you how to properly dispose of the container.

Daptomycin must be stored in a refrigerator and kept from freezing. Each vial (bottle) of this medicine is for one use only.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor if you miss an appointment to receive your daptomycin injection.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have received too much of this medicine. Symptoms of a daptomycin overdose are not known.

What should I avoid while taking daptomycin?

What are the possible side effects of daptomycin?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

unusual muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness;
numbness or tingling;
pain or burning when you urinate;
diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
pale skin, weakness, easy bruising or bleeding;
swelling; or
chest pain.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:

constipation, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting;
redness, discomfort, or irritation where the injection was given;
headache;
cough, sore throat;
back pain;
loss of appetite;
headache;
anxiety, confusion, sleep problems (insomnia); or
mild skin rash.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect daptomycin?

Before taking daptomycin, talk to your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
tobramycin (Nebcin); or
cholesterol-lowering medicines such as lovastatin (Mevacor), simvastatin (Zocor), pravastatin (Pravachol), fluvastatin (Lescol), atorvastatin (Lipitor), or cerivastatin (Baycol).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use daptomycin or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect daptomycin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has additional information about daptomycin written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Daptomycin is available with a prescription under the brand name Cubicin. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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