[Daptomycin--a new antibiotic for the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections]

Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2006 Sep 21;126(18):2383-4.
[Article in Norwegian]

Abstract

Daptomycin (Cubicin) is a bactericidal lipopeptide antibiotic that was approved in February 2006 for the European market, including Norway, for the treatment of patients with complicated skin and soft tissue infections caused by Gram-positive cocci. Daptomycin is administered intravenously and eliminated mainly by the kidneys. Dose reduction is therefore necessary in patients with impaired renal function. The drug is active only against Gram-positive cocci. Daptomycin therapy of patients with complicated skin and soft tissue infections caused by Gram-positive cocci, is as effective as standard therapy with intravenous semi-synthetic penicillin or vancomycin. The agent is usually well tolerated, but side effects in skeletal muscles are more prevalent than with semi-synthetic penicillins or vancomycin. To prevent development of daptomycin resistance, the agent should be reserved for the treatment of patients with infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus that are resistant to antibiotics commonly used for the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections, e.g. penicillins or clindamycin.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / adverse effects
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Daptomycin / administration & dosage
  • Daptomycin / adverse effects
  • Daptomycin / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Skin Diseases, Bacterial / drug therapy*
  • Skin Diseases, Bacterial / microbiology
  • Soft Tissue Infections / drug therapy*
  • Soft Tissue Infections / microbiology
  • Staphylococcal Infections / drug therapy*
  • Staphylococcal Skin Infections / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Daptomycin