Daptomycin
Daptomycin is a lipopeptide antibiotic used to treat serious bacterial infections, particularly skin and soft tissue infections and bacteremia caused by Gram-positive organisms including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). It works by binding to bacterial cell membranes, disrupting membrane potential and cell function.
Daptomycin is a last-resort antibiotic for serious Gram-positive bacterial infections when other antibiotics are ineffective.
Key facts at a glance
- ATC
- J01XX09
- RxNorm
- 22299
- Generic
- Daptomycin
- Class
- atc-j01
- Brands
- Dapzura, Cubicin
- Availability
- rx
- Lactation
- unknown
- Routes
- —
- Forms
- injection
- Regions
- US, EU, CN, JP
- Monitoring
- —
This page is for informational purposes only.
Do not use this information to diagnose yourself or to replace a physician's advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call your local emergency number immediately.
Dosage and administration
- Usual dose
- 500mg twice daily
- Maximum
- consult physician
- Frequency
- every 12 hours
- Instructions
- Follow physician instructions
- Duration limits
- as prescribed
- Monitoring
- standard
- Usual dose
- 250mg twice daily
- Maximum
- consult physician
- Frequency
- every 12 hours
- Instructions
- Follow physician instructions
- Duration limits
- as prescribed
- Monitoring
- standard
- Usual dose
- 400mg daily
- Maximum
- consult physician
- Frequency
- once daily
- Instructions
- Follow physician instructions
- Duration limits
- as prescribed
- Monitoring
- standard
Overdose information
Special Populations
7 groupspregnancy
first trimesteravoid if possible
use only if benefits outweigh potential risks to fetus
regular prenatal monitoring
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
pregnancy
third trimesteravoid if possible
use only if benefits outweigh potential risks; consider alternative antibiotics
regular prenatal monitoring
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
lactation
n/ause with caution
daptomycin is excreted in breast milk; decision to discontinue breastfeeding or drug should consider importance of drug to mother
monitor infant for gastrointestinal effects
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
pediatric_age
under 12 yearsadjust dose based on indication and weight
use only for skin and soft tissue infections in pediatric patients; not recommended for pneumonia due to inactivation by pulmonary surfactant
monitor renal function and creatine phosphokinase levels
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
geriatric
over 65 yearsno specific dose adjustment; consider renal function
no dosage adjustment required based on age alone; monitor renal function as elderly have higher risk of renal impairment
monitor renal function and creatine phosphokinase levels
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
renal_impairment
severe creatinine clearance below 30 ml minreduce dose to once every 48 hours
for cSSTI: 4 mg/kg once every 48 hours; for S. aureus bacteremia: 6 mg/kg once every 48 hours; consider therapeutic drug monitoring
frequent monitoring of renal function and creatine phosphokinase
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
hepatic_impairment
moderate to severeno dose adjustment for mild impairment; use caution in moderate to severe
no standard dose adjustment; clinical judgment required based on severity and clinical response
monitor hepatic function and clinical response
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
Statistics and clinical data
FDA approval year
Initial FDA approval for daptomycin
Drug class
Antibiotic class classification
Primary indications
Approved therapeutic indications
Mechanism of action
Pharmacodynamic mechanism
Treatment of complicated skin and soft tissue infections and Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia, including right-sided infective endocarditis. Reserved for cases where other antibiotics are not appropriate due to resistance or contraindications.
Daptomycin binds to bacterial cell membranes, causing rapid depolarization of the membrane potential. This disrupts essential cell functions including protein, DNA, and RNA synthesis, leading to bacterial cell death.
Not effective against Gram-negative bacteria. Requires monitoring for muscle-related side effects including myopathy. May interact with other medications affecting muscles. Requires IV administration and is typically used in hospital settings under specialist supervision.
Contraindications
Conditions and patient states where this medication should be avoided or used with caution.
Do not use (1)
Known allergy to this medication or its components
Use caution (1)
Consult healthcare provider for benefits vs risks assessment
Official drug label
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This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed July 26, 2026. · Read our editorial policy