Last reviewed · How we verify
Cubicin (Daptomycin)
Daptomycin is an antibacterial drug with lipopeptide structure.
Daptomycin is a lipopeptide antibacterial indicated for complicated skin and skin structure infections and S. aureus bacteremia in adults and pediatric patients (1-17 years). It demonstrates linear pharmacokinetics with 7.7-8.3 hour half-life and 90-93% plasma protein binding. Key risks include potential myopathy with concurrent HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors and false PT/INR elevation in laboratory testing. Daptomycin is contraindicated in pneumonia and left-sided endocarditis, with limited use in pediatric patients under one year due to potential neuromuscular effects.
At a glance
| Generic name | Daptomycin |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Baxter |
| Drug class | lipopeptide antibacterial |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Metabolic |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
| First approval | 2003 |
Mechanism of action
Daptomycin is an antibacterial drug [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.4)].
Approved indications
- Bacteremia caused by Staphylococcus aureus
- Complicated Skin and Skin Structure Enterococcus Faecalis Infection
- Complicated Skin and Skin Structure Staphylococcus Aureus Infection
- Complicated Skin and Skin Structure Streptococcus Agalactiae Infection
- Complicated Skin and Skin Structure Streptococcus Pyogenes Infection
- Complicated Skin and Skin Structure Streptococcus dysgalactiae Infection
- Right-sided Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis
- Secondary infection of erosion and ulcer caused by MRSA
- Secondary infection of surgical wounds caused by MRSA
- Secondary infection of trauma, and burn wounds caused by MRSA
- Sepsis caused by methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus
- Sepsis due to Staphylococcus aureus
Common side effects
- Nausea
- Anaemia
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Blood potassium decreased
- Gamma-glutamyltransferase increased
- Headache
- Aspartate aminotransferase increased
- Pyrexia
- Blood creatine phosphokinase increased
- Infusion site extravasation
- Infusion site pain
Drug interactions
- HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (simvastatin)
- Recombinant thromboplastin reagents (laboratory test interaction)
Key clinical trials
- Daptomycin vs. Vancomycin for the Treatment of Methicillin Resistant S. Aureus Bacteremia (PHASE4)
- Combination Antibiotic Therapy for Staphylococcus Aureus Bacteremia (PHASE4)
- Population Pharmacokinetics of Anti-infectives in Critically Ill Children
- In Vivo Antibiotics Removal During Hemoadsorption Cartridges and Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy in the Intensive Care Unit
- Staphylococcus Aureus Network Adaptive Platform Trial (PHASE4)
- Does Staphylococcus Aureus Bacteremia Early Dual Therapy Improve Outcomes? (PHASE4)
- Comparing Oral Versus Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (PHASE4)
- Ampicillin and Ceftriaxone for the Treatment of Enterococcus Faecalis Infective Endocarditis. (PHASE4)
Patents
| Patent | Expiry | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 8003673 | 2028-09-04 | Method of Use |
| 10357535 | 2033-09-11 | Formulation |
| 9655946 | 2033-09-11 | Formulation |
| 12053502 | 2038-08-28 | Method of Use |
| 9138456 | 2030-11-23 | Formulation |
| 11759497 | 2038-08-28 | Formulation |
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| FDA label | Mechanism, indications, dosing, boxed warnings, drug interactions |
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
| FDA Orange Book | Patents + exclusivity |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Cubicin CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Cubicin updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Baxter portfolio CI