What is this medication?

DAPTOMYCIN (DAP toe MYE sin) is a lipopeptide antibiotic. It is used to treat certain kinds of bacterial infections. It will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Cubicin, Cubicin RF

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• kidney disease
• stomach or intestine problems like colitis
• an unusual or allergic reaction to daptomycin, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

This medicine is for infusion into a vein. It is usually given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

If you get this medicine at home, you will be taught how to prepare and give this medicine. Use exactly as directed. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Take all of your medicine as directed even if you think you are better. Do not skip doses or stop your medicine early.

It is important that you put your used needles and syringes in a special sharps container. Do not put them in a trash can. If you do not have a sharps container, call your pharmacist or healthcare provider to get one.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 1 year for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

It is important not to miss your dose. Call your doctor or health care professional if you are unable to keep an appointment. If you give yourself this medicine at home and you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

This medicine may interact with the following medications:

• birth control pills
• certain medicines for cholesterol like atorvastatin, lovastatin, and simvastatin

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this drug.

Tell your health care provider if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

Do not treat diarrhea with over the counter products. Contact your health care provider if you have diarrhea that lasts more than 2 days or if it is severe and watery.

This drug may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the drug. Contact your health care provider right away if you notice fevers or flu-like symptoms with a rash. The rash may be red or purple and then turn into blisters or peeling of the skin. Or, you might notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• bloody or watery diarrhea
• fever
• kidney injury (trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine)
• muscle injury (dark urine; trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine; unusually weak or tired; muscle pain; back pain)
• rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes
• redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• diarrhea
• dizziness
• headache
• trouble sleeping
• vomiting

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children.

This drug is usually given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

In rare cases, this medicine may be given at home. If you are using this medicine at home, you will be instructed on how to store it. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date on the label.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.