cubicin

Cubicin (daptomycin) is an antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body.

Cubicin is used to treat bacterial infections of the skin and underlying tissues.

Cubicin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information

You should not use Cubicin if you are allergic to daptomycin.

Before using Cubicin, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, or a nerve or muscle disorder.

If you are using Cubicin at home, be sure you understand how to properly mix and store the medication.

Call your doctor at once if you have a new or worsening cough, fever, trouble breathing, diarrhea that is watery or bloody, muscle pain or weakness, tingly feeling, fever or flu symptoms, dark colored urine, mouth sores, pain or burning when you urinate, urinating less than usual or not at all, pale skin, or feeling light-headed.

To be sure Cubicin is helping your condition, your blood may need to be tested often. Your kidney function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Cubicin if you are allergic to daptomycin.

To make sure Cubicin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• kidney disease; or

• a nerve or muscle disorder.

Cubicin is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It is not known whether daptomycin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I use Cubicin?

Cubicin is injected into a vein through an IV. You may be shown how to use an IV at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles, IV tubing, and other items used to inject the medicine.

Use Cubicin for the full prescribed length of time. Some infections must be treated for up to 6 weeks. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Cubicin will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse.

Cubicin is a powder medicine that must be mixed with a liquid (diluent) before using it. If you are using the injections at home, be sure you understand how to properly mix and store the medication.

Do not shake the medication bottle or you may ruin the medicine. Gently swirl the medicine when mixing. Prepare your dose only when you are ready to give an injection. Do not use if the medicine has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

Each single-use vial (bottle) of Cubicin is for one use only. Throw away after one use, even if there is still some medicine left in it after injecting your dose.

Use a disposable needle and syringe only once. Follow any state or local laws about throwing away used needles and syringes. Use a puncture-proof "sharps" disposal container (ask your pharmacist where to get one and how to throw it away). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

While using Cubicin, you may need frequent blood tests.

This medicine can cause unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Cubicin.

Store Cubicin powder in the refrigerator, do not freeze. After mixing Cubicin with a diluent, store in the refrigerator and use it within 48 hours. Do not freeze.

Mixed medicine must be used within 12 hours if you keep it at room temperature.

Cubicin dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Skin and Structure Infection:

Complicated: 4 mg/kg IV every 24 hours for 7 to 14 days

Usual Adult Dose for Endocarditis:

Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections, including those with right-sided infective endocarditis: 6 mg/kg IV every 24 hours for 2 to 6 weeks

Usual Adult Dose for Bacteremia:

Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections: 6 mg/kg IV every 24 hours for 2 to 6 weeks

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose of Cubicin.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while using Cubicin?

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Cubicin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Cubicin: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody;

• numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands or feet;

• new or worsening cough, fever, trouble breathing; or

• unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine.

Common Cubicin side effects may include:

• abnormal liver function tests;

• sore throat;

• increased sweating; or

• sleep problems (insomnia).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Cubicin?

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially a "statin" cholesterol medicine such as:

• atorvastatin (Lipitor, Caduet);

• fluvastatin (Lescol);

• lovastatin (Mevacor, Altoprev, Advicor);

• pitavastatin (Livalo);

• pravastatin (Pravachol);

• rosuvastatin (Crestor); or

• simvastatin (Zocor, Simcor, Vytorin);

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with daptomycin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.