Last reviewed 2026-04-22 · How we verify

Daptomycin for Injection

Daptomycin disrupts bacterial cell membrane integrity by inserting into the lipid bilayer and causing depolarization and potassium efflux, leading to bacterial cell death.

Daptomycin disrupts bacterial cell membrane integrity by inserting into the lipid bilayer and causing depolarization and potassium efflux, leading to bacterial cell death. Used for Complicated skin and soft tissue infections caused by susceptible Gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia including right-sided endocarditis.

At a glance

Mechanism of action

Daptomycin is a cyclic lipopeptide antibiotic that binds to bacterial cell membranes in a calcium-dependent manner. It inserts into the lipid bilayer and causes rapid depolarization of the membrane potential, leading to leakage of intracellular potassium and other essential ions, ultimately resulting in bacterial cell death. This mechanism is bactericidal and effective against Gram-positive bacteria.

Approved indications

• Complicated skin and soft tissue infections caused by susceptible Gram-positive bacteria
• Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia including right-sided endocarditis

Common side effects

• Injection site reactions
• Elevated creatine phosphokinase (CPK)
• Muscle pain or myopathy
• Nausea
• Headache

Key clinical trials

• Daptomycin vs. Vancomycin for the Treatment of Methicillin Resistant S. Aureus Bacteremia (PHASE4)
• Safety, Efficacy, and Pharmacokinetics (PK) of Daptomycin (MK-3009) in Japanese Pediatric Subjects With Complicated Skin and Soft Tissue Infections (cSSTI) and Bacteremia (MK-3009-029) (PHASE2)
• Phase 4 Efficacy and Safety Study of Cubicin® With and Without Combination Therapy in S. Aureus Infective Endocarditis (SAIE) (PHASE4)
• A Pharmacokinetics Study of Daptomycin in Critically Ill Patients and Effects of Daptomycin on Kidney
• Phase 2 Study of Safety, Efficacy, and Pharmacokinetics of Higher Doses of Daptomycin and Vancomycin in MRSA Bacteremia (PHASE2)
• Safety and Efficacy Study of Daptomycin in Pediatric Participants (1 to 17 Years-old) With Skin and Skin Structure Infections (PHASE4)
• Study Comparing CUBICIN® (Daptomycin for Injection) With Vancomycin in Cellulitis or Erysipelas (PHASE4)
• Cubicin(R) for Complicated Post-surgical Wound Infections (PHASE4)

Primary sources

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