Pfizer Daptomycin (Daptomycin)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Pfizer Daptomycin Used For?
Pfizer Daptomycin is an antibiotic medication that fights bacterial infections in your body. It’s specifically designed to treat serious infections that other antibiotics may not be able to handle effectively.
Primary Uses
Pfizer Daptomycin is used to treat complicated infections of the skin and tissues under the skin, blood infections (bacteremia), and infections of the tissues that line the inside of the heart, including heart valves (endocarditis).
How to Take Pfizer Daptomycin
Pfizer Daptomycin is given only in a hospital or clinical setting by trained healthcare professionals. You cannot take this medication at home.
Dosage Instructions
Your doctor or nurse will give you Pfizer Daptomycin as an injection or infusion directly into a vein. For adults, the dose depends on your body weight and the type of infection being treated. For children (1 to 17 years old), the dose depends on age, weight, and infection type. Your doctor will determine how long you need to receive the medication.
Important: Do not stop receiving Pfizer Daptomycin just because you feel better, unless your doctor tells you to. Stopping early may allow bacteria to continue growing and your infection may not clear completely or could return.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Oral or vaginal thrush
- Inflammation and irritation of the vagina
- Fungal infections
- Pain, itchiness or redness at injection site
- Tiredness
- Trembling
- Decreased appetite
- Dizziness, blurred vision, lightheadedness
- Spinning sensation
- Headache
- Flushes
- Mild stomach upsets (indigestion, nausea, vomiting)
- Abdominal swelling or bloating
- Flatulence
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Taste disturbance
- Eye irritation
- Difficulty sleeping
- Anxiety
- Urinary tract infection
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Sudden allergic reactions (rash, itching, hives, swelling of face/lips/tongue, shortness of breath, wheezing)
- Difficulty breathing, new or worsening cough or fever (signs of lung disorder)
- Unexplained muscle tenderness, weakness or cramps
- Tingling, burning or numbness of arms, hands, legs or feet
- Difficulty moving arms and/or legs
- Changes in heart rhythm
- Yellowing of skin and eyes (jaundice)
- Kidney problems or failure
- Fainting
- Unusual bleeding in skin and bruising
- Pus-filled bumps
- Shivering or chills
- Blistering rash
Important Warnings
Before receiving Pfizer Daptomycin, it’s crucial that your healthcare team knows about your medical history and any other medications you’re taking.
Who Should Not Take Pfizer Daptomycin
Do not use Pfizer Daptomycin if you or your child are allergic to daptomycin or any of the ingredients listed in the medication. Always check the ingredients to make sure you can safely use this medicine.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you or your child have allergies to other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives; have or have had kidney problems; are suffering from diarrhea; or take any medicines for other conditions.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Like most medicines, Pfizer Daptomycin is not recommended during pregnancy. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits with you if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. You should not breastfeed while receiving Pfizer Daptomycin treatment.
Drug Interactions
Some medications may interfere with how Pfizer Daptomycin works. Make sure to tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
- Warfarin (blood thinner)
- Statins or fibrates (cholesterol-lowering medicines)
- Ciclosporin (immune system medicine)
- Tobramycin (another antibiotic)
Alcohol & Driving
While receiving Pfizer Daptomycin, you should be cautious about activities that require alertness and coordination.
Alcohol
No specific information is available about alcohol interactions with Pfizer Daptomycin. Consult your doctor about alcohol consumption during treatment.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful when driving or operating machinery until you know how Pfizer Daptomycin affects you. This medication may cause dizziness or tiredness in some people.
Storage
Pfizer Daptomycin is stored by healthcare professionals in the pharmacy or hospital. It should be kept in the original carton at temperatures below 25°C until ready for use. Any unused product will be disposed of correctly by the healthcare facility.
Overdose Information
Since Pfizer Daptomycin is given in a hospital under medical supervision, overdose is very unlikely. Your healthcare team monitors your progress and checks your medication carefully. However, if you think you’ve received too much, seek immediate medical attention by calling the Poisons Information Centre at 13 11 26, contacting your doctor or nurse, or going to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your doctor will determine how long you need to receive Pfizer Daptomycin based on your specific infection and response to treatment. It’s important to complete the full course even if you start feeling better.
No, do not stop receiving Pfizer Daptomycin just because you feel better unless your doctor advises you to. Stopping early may allow bacteria to continue growing and your infection may not clear completely or could return.
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives; have kidney problems; are suffering from diarrhea; take other medicines; are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Call for emergency help immediately if you experience sudden rash, itching, hives, swelling of face/lips/tongue, shortness of breath, wheezing, or trouble breathing while receiving Pfizer Daptomycin.
Pfizer Daptomycin is not recommended during pregnancy. Your doctor will discuss risks and benefits if you’re pregnant. You should not breastfeed while receiving this treatment.
Tell your doctor immediately if you develop muscle pain or weakness, tingling or numbness in hands/feet, difficulty breathing, new fever or cough, diarrhea (especially bloody), or any signs of allergic reaction.
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Pfizer Daptomycin affects you, as it may cause dizziness or tiredness in some people.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.