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 appointments.

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 other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to daptomycin.

Before using daptomycin, 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 need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use daptomycin.

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.

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 shown how to use your medicine at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of needles, IV tubing, and other items used in giving the medicine.

Use each disposable needle only one time. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

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.

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.

This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using daptomycin.

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

Call your doctor if you miss a dose of this medicine.

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

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.

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.

Less serious side effects may include:

• 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.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

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).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with 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.

Your pharmacist can provide more information about daptomycin.