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November 25, 2009
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GENERIC NAME: DAPTOMYCIN- INJECTION (DAP-toe-mye-sin)

BRAND NAME(S): Cubicin

Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage

USES: This medication is a cyclic lipopeptide antibiotic used to treat serious bacterial skin infections. This drug will only treat infections caused by certain bacteria and will not work for infections caused by viruses. This drug should not be used to treat pneumonia. If used to treat pneumonia, you may experience severe side effects (especially heart and breathing problems). Consult your doctor for more details.

HOW TO USE: This medication is given by vein intravenously (IV) usually once daily. If you have severe kidney disease or are on kidney dialysis, you should only receive this medication every other day (i.e., every 48 hours). Usually this drug is used for two weeks; or use as directed by your doctor. Follow all instructions for proper mixing and dilution with the correct IV fluids. If you have any questions about the mixing or use of this medication, ask your pharmacist. Before using, check this product visually for particles. If present, do not use the liquid. Antibiotics work best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, take this drug at evenly spaced intervals. Continue to take this medication until the full-prescribed amount is finished even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may allow bacteria to continue to grow, which may result in a relapse of the infection. Inform your doctor if your condition does not improve in one week. Learn how to store and discard needles and medical supplies safely. Consult your pharmacist.

SIDE EFFECTS: Nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, trouble sleeping, anxiety, or pain/redness/swelling at the injection site may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: muscle pain/cramps/weakness, numbness or tingling of hands or feet, unusual tiredness or weakness, change in amount of urine, chest pain, swelling, shakiness, sweating, increased thirst, blurred vision. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: unusual bleeding or bruising, irregular heartbeat, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine. This medication may rarely cause a severe intestinal condition (pseudomembranous colitis) due to a resistant bacteria. This condition may occur weeks after treatment has stopped. Do not use anti-diarrhea products or narcotic pain medications if you have the following symptoms because these products may make them worse. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop: persistent diarrhea, abdominal or stomach pain/cramping, blood/mucus in your stool. Use of this medication for prolonged or repeated periods may result in oral thrush or a new vaginal yeast infection (oral or vaginal fungal infection). Contact your doctor if you notice white patches in your mouth, a change in vaginal discharge or other new symptoms. A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching, severe swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.




Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

 

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.


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daptomycin- injection, Cubicin

What is pneumonia?

Pneumonia is an infection of one or both lungs which is usually caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Prior to the discovery of antibiotics, one-third of all people who developed pneumonia subsequently died from the infection. Currently, over 3 million people develop pneumonia each year in the United States. Over a half a million of these people are admitted to a hospital for treatment. Although most of these people recover, approximately 5% will die from pneumonia. Pneumonia is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.

How do people "catch pneumonia"?

Some cases of pneumonia are contracted by breathing in small droplets that contain the organisms that can cause pneumonia. These droplets get into the air when a person infected with these germs coughs or sneezes. In other cases, pneumonia is caused when bacteria or viruses that are normally present in the mouth, throat, or nose inadvertently enter the...

Read the Pneumonia article »



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