Author: Barry I Eisenstein

Source: Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs, Volume 13, Number 9, 1 September 2004 , pp. 1159-1169(11)

Publisher: Informa Healthcare

Abstract:

The increasing incidence of serious infections caused by antibiotic-resistant Gram-positive bacteria has led to the development of new spectrum-specific agents. One such agent is Cubicin™ (daptomycin for injection), the first member of a new class of antibacterials called cyclic lipopeptides. Daptomycin has rapid, concentration-dependent bactericidal activity against most clinically significant Gram-positive pathogens, including vancomycin-resistant enterococci, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and vancomycin-intermediate and -resistant S. aureus. This cyclic lipopeptide has a unique mechanism of action and exhibits a relatively prolonged concentration-dependent postantibiotic effect in vitro. In September 2003 the US FDA approved daptomycin for the treatment of complicated skin and skin-structure infections. With its once-daily dosing, excellent safety profile and low potential for resistance, daptomycin is a welcome new addition to the armamentarium against Gram-positive infections.

Keywords: bactericidal; complicated skin and skin-structure infections; daptomycin; Gram-positive infections; lipopeptide; methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Document Type: Review article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1517/13543784.13.9.1159

Publication date: 2004-09-01

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