KEY POINTS
- Works by causing depolarization of the cell membrane in sensitive organisms
- Used to treat infections caused by Gram positive bacteria (e.g., Staph, Strep, Enterococci)
- Has activity versus most MRSA and VRE, but beware resistance
- Dose in mg/kg once daily, but reduce to every other day if CrCl < 30 mL/min
- Beware CPK elevation, myalgias, arthralgias and rhabdomyolysis
- Monitoring CPK and renal function more than weekly may be necessary in adults with renal impairment per a March 2017 FDA warning
- DO NOT USE FOR PNEUMONIA – it is inactivated by surfactant in the lung
- There is a Cubicin RF product of daptomycin that has longer stability and more convenient storage
RESOURCES