Cyclic lipopeptide antibiotic

Daptomycin

Brand names: Cubicin

Daptomycin is a cyclic lipopeptide antibiotic given intravenously for Gram-positive infections including Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia, right-sided endocarditis and complicated skin and soft tissue infections.

Dosing — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Clinical monograph

How it works

It inserts into the Gram-positive cell membrane in a calcium-dependent manner, causing membrane depolarisation and rapid bactericidal cell death.

Prescribing in practice

Daptomycin can cause myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, so creatine kinase should be monitored and concurrent statins withheld where possible.
It must not be used to treat pneumonia because it is inactivated by pulmonary surfactant.
Eosinophilic pneumonia and peripheral neuropathy are recognised, and dose interval is extended in significant renal impairment.

Monitoring

Monitor creatine kinase at least weekly, and more often in patients on statins or with renal impairment, alongside renal function.

Counselling the patient

Report muscle pain, weakness or dark urine promptly.
Tell your team if you develop new breathlessness, cough or fever during treatment.

Evidence & guidelines

Daptomycin's role in S. aureus bacteraemia and right-sided endocarditis is supported by a pivotal randomised controlled trial and its SPC.

Reference: BSAC; UKHSA AMR; ESCMID; SmPC; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Calculators

Pathways