Daptomycin
| Drug monograph · NCLEX study reference | |
| Trade names | Cubicin |
|---|---|
| Therapeutic class | Antibacterial |
| Pharmacologic class | Cyclic lipopeptide |
| Onset / peak / duration | IV once daily. |
| Half-life / level | Half-life about 8 hours; no routine level. |
| Routes | IV |
| High-alert (ISMP) | No |
| Black box warning | None |
| Antidote / reversal | Supportive care. |
| Pregnancy / lactation | Use if clearly needed. |
Nursing pharmacology study reference (NCLEX-style monograph). Numeric values are standard teaching ranges for study and must be verified against current manufacturer labeling before clinical use. This is educational content, not prescribing guidance.
Daptomycin (brand name Cubicin) — Antibacterial; Cyclic lipopeptide.
Identification
- Therapeutic class: Antibacterial.
- Pharmacologic class: Cyclic lipopeptide.
Pharmacology
- Mechanism of action: Disrupts the bacterial membrane (bactericidal) against gram-positives including MRSA.
- Onset / peak / duration: IV once daily.
- Half-life / therapeutic level: Half-life about 8 hours; no routine level.
Clinical use
- Indications: MRSA bacteremia, right-sided endocarditis, complicated skin infections.
- Usual dose, route, frequency: IV once daily by weight.
- Maximum dose / adjustments: Extend interval in renal impairment; not effective for pneumonia (inactivated by lung surfactant).
Safety
- Contraindications: Hypersensitivity.
- Black box warning: None.
- Interactions: Statins (additive myopathy, consider holding statin), monitor creatine kinase.
- Pregnancy / lactation: Use if clearly needed.
- High-alert: No.
Adverse effects
- Common side effects: GI upset, injection-site reaction, headache.
- Serious effects to report: Myopathy and rhabdomyolysis (muscle pain, weakness), eosinophilic pneumonia, neuropathy.
- Antidote / reversal: Supportive care.
Nursing process
- Assessment before administration: Baseline creatine kinase, statin use, infection source.
- Interventions during therapy: Monitor CK weekly; assess for muscle pain.
- Monitor: Creatine kinase, muscle symptoms, renal function, infection resolution.
- Evaluation / expected outcome: Resolution of infection.
Patient teaching
- Patient teaching: Report muscle pain or weakness; not used for lung infections.
- Notify provider if: Muscle pain or weakness, breathing trouble, numbness.
- Administration tips: IV once daily; monitor CK.