What is a common adverse effect associated with daptomycin therapy?

Daptomycin is an antibiotic used primarily to treat complicated skin and soft tissue infections as well as bacteremia caused by susceptible Gram-positive bacteria. One of the most notable adverse effects associated with daptomycin therapy is rhabdomyolysis, a potentially serious condition characterized by the breakdown of muscle tissue which can lead to muscle pain, weakness, and the release of muscle cell contents into the bloodstream, sometimes resulting in kidney damage.

The mechanism behind rhabdomyolysis in patients receiving daptomycin is not completely understood, but it is known that daptomycin can affect muscle cells. Clinicians monitor creatine kinase (CK) levels in patients on daptomycin since elevated CK can indicate muscle injury. If levels are significantly elevated, it may prompt a reevaluation of the therapy to minimize the risk of serious complications.

While other adverse effects such as ototoxicity, red man syndrome, and QTc prolongation can be associated with some antibiotics, they are not typical concerns related to daptomycin specifically. Ototoxicity is more commonly seen with aminoglycosides, red man syndrome is associated with rapid infusion of vancomycin, and QTc prolongation is more frequently linked to certain flu