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IndexedBuilt automatically from public databases on 2026-09-30. Not yet hand-reviewed by PLOBT.How this works →

Daptomycin

FDA approved · Rx

Cyclic lipopeptide antibiotic

Also known as: Cubicin, Cidecin, Daptomycinum, Dapcin, Daptomycine, LY-146032, Cubicin Rf

Evidence score
95/ 100
Strong evidence

Strong, human-grade evidence

  • Regulatory standing. FDA-approved prescription medicine
  • Human trials. Backed by controlled human studies
  • Registered human trials. 122 registered studies on ClinicalTrials.gov, most advanced Phase 4
  • 2 cited sources. Includes primary / regulatory sources

Computed with the same four public criteria as every profile. The human-evidence grade on an indexed profile is set automatically and may change when it is hand-reviewed. It is not a safety score, not a purity rating, and not medical advice, and not a claim that this compound treats, cures, or prevents any condition.

What it is

Daptomycin, sold as Cubicin and as generic daptomycin, is a cyclic lipopeptide antibiotic originally derived from the bacterium Streptomyces roseosporus. It binds to the cell membrane of Gram-positive bacteria in a calcium-dependent way, causing membrane depolarization and rapid bacterial cell death. It is given intravenously and is not active against Gram-negative bacteria.

What the evidence shows

Automatic summaryHuman trials

Daptomycin is FDA approved for complicated skin and skin structure infections and for Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections, including right-sided infective endocarditis, caused by susceptible Gram-positive bacteria. It is supported by a large body of human research, with over 120 registered trials reaching Phase 4 and thousands of published papers, though it is not effective for pneumonia because lung surfactant inactivates it.

Key facts

Molecular formula
C72H101N17O26
Molecular weight
1620.7 g/mol
FDA approval
Confirmed on openFDA

Registered human trials

Live from ClinicalTrials.gov, refreshed daily.

122registered studies
Phase 4most advanced phase
51completed (sample)
6recruiting (sample)

Safety and Efficacy Study of Daptomycin Compared to Active Comparator in Pediatric Participants With Acute Hematogenous Osteomyelitis (AHO) (MK-3009-006)

Phase 3CompletedNCT01922011

Study of the Pharmacokinetics of Daptomycin in Children With Renal Disease

CompletedNCT01012089

A Phase 3 Telavancin Staphylococcus Aureus (S. Aureus) Bacteremia Trial

Phase 3TerminatedNCT02208063

Daptomycin in the Treatment of Subjects With Infective Endocarditis or Bacteremia Due to S. Aureus

Phase 3CompletedNCT00093067

Published literature

Live from Europe PMC. This is how much has been published, not how much is proven in humans.

4,950papers referencing Daptomycin

Daptomycin versus standard therapy for bacteremia and endocarditis caused by Staphylococcus aureus.

N Engl J Med2006

Mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria.

Am J Med2006

The Microbiology of Bloodstream Infection: 20-Year Trends from the SENTRY Antimicrobial Surveillance Program.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother2019

Correlation of daptomycin bactericidal activity and membrane depolarization in Staphylococcus aureus.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother2003

Sources

Risks, side effects and study doses are only published on hand-reviewed profiles. Want this one reviewed, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.