Daptomycin

Definition

Daptomycin is a lipopeptide antibiotic used to treat serious Gram-positive bacterial infections, particularly those resistant to other antibiotics. It works by disrupting the bacterial cell membrane, leading to cell death.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Daptomycin is effective against multiple-antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and VRE (Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci).
2. It is primarily used for complicated skin and soft tissue infections, bacteremia, and endocarditis caused by Gram-positive organisms.
3. Daptomycin cannot be used to treat lung infections because it is inactivated by pulmonary surfactant.
4. The drug works by binding to bacterial membranes and causing rapid depolarization, which inhibits protein, DNA, and RNA synthesis.
5. Common side effects include muscle pain and weakness; therefore, monitoring of creatine phosphokinase levels is recommended during treatment.

Review Questions

Related terms

MRSA:

A strain of Staphylococcus aureus that is resistant to methicillin and commonly treated with alternative antibiotics like vancomycin or daptomycin.

Vancomycin:

An antibiotic used to treat severe Gram-positive bacterial infections, often employed when other treatments fail.

Bacteremia:

The presence of bacteria in the blood which can lead to systemic infections requiring potent antibiotics like daptomycin.