Daptomycin:

• Novel Lipopeptide antibiotic
• Bactericidal
• Active against Gram Positive Organisms only.
• Dosage adjustments necessary in renal insufficiency
• Intravenous infusion only available.
• Avoid in Pregnancy
• Not to be used for Pneumonia as it gets inactivated by lung surfactants.
• Risk of myopathy. Monitoring of Creatinine Kinase at baseline and at least weekly, more frequently in those on medication associated with myopathy or creatinine clearance<30ml/hr.

Main indications

• Unlicensed- On Infectious Diseases and Microbiology approval only.
• Difficult Gram positive infections e.g.  VRE endocarditis, PVL positive Staphylococcus aureus sepsis.

Active against most strains of:

• Gram positive bacteria
• Enterococci including GRE
• Staphylococcus aureus inc. MRSA, VRSA.
• Streptococci
• Corynebacteria
• Anaerobic Gram positive bacteria.

Not active against most strains of:

• Gram negative bacteria

Caution; the antibiotic doses recommended on this website are intended for adult patients with normal renal and liver function unless otherwise stated. Dosing advice for patients with renal impairment is available here.

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