Practical information on using daptomycin

Daptomycin is only active against gram-positive bacteria, including most strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). It has a similar spectrum of activity to the glycopeptides (ie teicoplanin and vancomycin).

Daptomycin is not recommended for the treatment of pneumonia because it is inactivated by pulmonary surfactant.

Myopathy is an adverse effect of daptomycin. In patients treated with daptomycin, measure plasma creatine kinase concentration at least once weekly, or more frequently if the patient has impaired kidney function (creatinine clearance less than 30 mL/minute) or is receiving concomitant drugs associated with myopathy (eg statins).