Main use Active ingredient Manufacturer
Bacterial infections Daptomycin Novartis

How does it work?
Cubicin infusion contains the active ingredient daptomycin, which is a medicine used to treat infections with bacteria, in particular Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Daptomycin is a new type of antibiotic known as a lipopeptide antibiotic. It can only be used to treat infections with a specific sub-group of bacteria called Gram positive bacteria.

Daptomycin works by binding to the cell membranes of Gram positive bacteria, causing them to lose potassium. This causes a reaction that rapidly stops the bacteria making proteins and genetic material that they need to survive and multiply. This kills the bacteria and treats the infection.

Daptomycin has a different mechanism of action to all the other classes of antibiotics. This means it can be used to treat Gram positive bacterial infections that are resistant to other antibiotics. An example of this is infection with the "superbug" MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus). Such bacterial infections have become more common, particularly in hospitals, due to increasing resistance of bacteria to antibiotic treatment. As daptomycin works in a different way to other antibiotics, it may provide doctors with a new line of attack for these types of infections. Other types of antibiotics may be used at the same time as treatment with daptomycin, if necessary.

To make sure the bacteria causing an infection are susceptible to daptomycin your doctor may take a tissue sample, for example a swab from the skin, or a blood sample.

Daptomycin is given by a drip into a vein (intravenous infusion) over 30 minutes.

What is it used for?
Complicated bacterial infections of skin and soft tissue.
Inflammation of the lining of the right side of the heart and heart valves due to infection with Staphyloccocus aureus bacteria (right-sided infective endocarditis).
Blood infections with Staphyloccocus aureus bacteria (bacteraemia) that are associated with one of the above infections.
Warning!
Your kidney function and the amount of creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) in your blood should be monitored before starting treatment and regularly throughout treatment with this medicine.
Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any muscular symptoms such as pain, tenderness, cramps, or weakness while being treated this medicine, particularly if it is accompanied by a fever or feeling generally unwell. Your doctor may need to check for side effects on the muscles by taking a blood test to measure the level of a compound called creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) in your blood.
Let your doctor know if you experience any abnormal sensations in your feet and/or hands during treatment with this medicine, for example, numbness, tingling or burning sensations or pain, as this could be indicative of a nerve problem called peripheral neuropathy.
Antibiotics can sometimes cause inflammation of the bowel (colitis). For this reason, if you get diarrhoea that becomes severe or persistent or contains blood or mucus, either during or after treatment with this medicine, you should consult your doctor immediately.
Use with caution in
Elderly people.
Severely decreased liver function.
Decreased kidney function.
Severely obese people.
People taking medicines that can have side effects on the muscles, such as statins or fibrates.
Not to be used in
Breastfeeding.
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