Brand Name(s):

  • Cubicin®

WHY is this medicine prescribed?

Daptomycin injection is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat certain blood or serious skin infections caused by bacteria. Daptomycin injection is in a class of medications called cyclic lipopeptide antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria. Antibiotics will not work for treating colds, flu, or other viral infections.

HOW should this medicine be used?

Daptomycin injection comes as a powder to be added to fluid and injected into a vein by a doctor or nurse. It is usually given once a day. The length of your treatment depends on the type of infection being treated and your response to daptomycin treatment. You may receive daptomycin injection in a hospital or you may administer the medication at home. If you are using daptomycin injection at home, use it at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use daptomycin injection exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

You should begin to feel better during the first few days of treatment with daptomycin injection. If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.

Use daptomycin injection until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop using daptomycin injection too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.

Are there OTHER USES for this medicine?

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS should I follow?

Before using daptomycin injection,

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to daptomycin or any other medications.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: cholesterol-lowering medications (statins) such as atorvastatin (Lipitor, in Caduet), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Altoprev, Mevacor, in Advicor), pravastatin (Pravachol), rosuvastatin (Crestor), simvastatin (Zocor, in Vytorin). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
  • tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney disease.
  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using daptomycin injection, call your doctor.

What SPECIAL DIETARY instructions should I follow?

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What should I do IF I FORGET to take a dose?

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not use a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What SIDE EFFECTS can this medicine cause?

Daptomycin injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

  • diarrhea
  • nausea
  • constipation
  • vomiting
  • stomach pain
  • difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
  • headache
  • increased sweating
  • redness, pain, or swelling at the injection site
  • unusual weight gain
  • sore throat
  • increased urge to urinate
  • burning sensation when urinating

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

  • hives
  • rash
  • itching
  • blisters or peeling of skin
  • difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • shortness of breath
  • chest pain
  • cough
  • new or worsening fever
  • severe diarrhea with watery or bloody stools (up to 2 months after your treatment)
  • muscle pain or weakness
  • dark or cola-colored urine
  • pain, burning, numbness, or tingling in the hands or feet
  • fast heartbeat
  • dizziness
  • pale skin
  • confusion
  • extreme tiredness

Daptomycin injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at Web Site] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

What should I know about STORAGE and DISPOSAL of this medication?

If you will be using daptomycin injection at home, your health care provider will tell you where you should store it and how long you may keep it. Follow these directions carefully. Be sure to store daptomycin injection in the container it came in and out of reach of children. Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your health care provider about the proper disposal of your medication.

What should I do in case of OVERDOSE?

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

What OTHER INFORMATION should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body's response to daptomycin injection.

Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are using daptomycin injection.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish daptomycin injection, call your doctor.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

AHFS® Consumer Medication Information. © Copyright, The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.

Selected Revisions: February 1, 2011.