Daptomycin is used for MRSA treatment, which is resistant to methicillin and other related antibiotics. Daptomycin is considered a novel antibiotic and is used to treat gram-positive bacteria. It is made from a compound found in the decomposing material in the soil. It was discovered in the late 1980’s. It is effective because it disrupts several bacteria cell functions, which results in the bacteria dying. 4-6 mg of it is usually administered every day or every other day. A physician will determine how long treatment will last.
About
Daptomycin is also known by its trade name, Cubicin, which is manufactured by Cubist Pharmaceuticals. It works by stopping the bacteria from growing. It is usually given intravenously daily. Some people with other health issues may only be able to tolerate the treatment every other day. For an antibiotic to be most effective, it must be administered consistently and for the full duration that it is prescribed.
Side Effects
In the beginning, development was stopped because of side effects like myalgia. Overuse and unnecessary use of daptomycin can reduce it becoming ineffectiveness when treating serious bacterial infections. It can also contribute to resistant staph strains. This medication is not normally used to treat pneumonia because the severe side effects that can include breathing problems and heart problems. The side effects of daptomycin include the following:
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Sleeping problems
- Anxiety
- Irritation at injection site
Persistent side affects should be reported to a healthcare professional. These side affects are rare but may be serious:
- Numbness or tingling in the extremities
- Muscle weakness, cramps, or pain
- Excessive tiredness or weakness
- Change in urine output
- Chest pain
More serious side affects include the following:
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Irregular heartbeat
- Rash
- Hives
- Swelling
- Yellowing of the skin
- Dark urine
A healthcare professional should evaluate the side effects, especially any serious ones from daptomycin, It will need to be determined if the medication will be continued or the treatment will need to be changed. Yeast infections and thrush are the common side effect of all antibiotic treatment.
Alternatives
Antibiotics are necessary for treatment.If one doesn’t work or have severe side effects, a different antibiotic can be used to treat the infection. In addition to antibiotics, other treatments like surgery and drainage may be needed. There are alternatives to antibiotics that are sold online, but it is very risky using them so a healthcare professional should be consulted. An improperly treated severe infection can become life-threatening very quickly. Daptomycin is effective in treating some strains. It is well worth the time and effort needed to prevent MRSA because it is the best way to avoid the possible side effects of daptomycin.