Daptomycin

Daptomycin is a cyclic lipopeptide antibacterial agent with a broad spectrum of activity against Gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin-susceptible and -resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA/MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE). Chemically, daptomycin comprises 13 amino acids, including several non-standard and D-amino acids, with the C-terminal 10 amino acids forming an ester-linked ring and the N-terminal tryptophan covalently bonded to decanoic acid. Daptomycin was first discovered in the early 1980s by researchers at Eli Lilly in soil samples from Mount Ararat in Turkey. Early work on developing daptomycin was abandoned due to observed myopathy but was resumed in 1997 when Cubist Pharmaceuticals Inc. licensed daptomycin; it was found that a once-daily dosing scheme reduced side effects while retaining efficacy.

Daptomycin was approved by the FDA on September 12, 2003, and is marketed under the name CUBICIN® by Cubist Pharmaceuticals LLC (Merck & Co.).

Daptomycin is indicated for the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections (cSSSI) in patients one year of age and older. It is also indicated for the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections (bacteremia) in patients one year of age and older, including in adult patients with right-sided infective endocarditis.

Daptomycin is not indicated for the treatment of pneumonia or left-sided infective endocarditis due to S. aureus. Use is not recommended in pediatric patients younger than one year of age due to the risk of potential effects on muscular, neuromuscular, and/or nervous systems (either peripheral and/or

central).

As with all antibacterial drugs, it is strongly suggested to perform sufficient testing before treatment initiation in order to confirm an infection caused by susceptible bacteria. Failure to do so may result in suboptimal treatment, treatment failure, and the development of drug-resistant bacteria.