What is Dalbavancin?
Dalbavancin is a bacteriocidal glycopeptide antibiotic. It works by inhibiting cell wall synthesis in susceptible bacteria, ultimately leading to the death of bacterial cells. Dalbavancin is used to treat skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) caused by certain Gram-positive bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus. The drug’s mechanism of action involves binding to the terminal D-alanyl-D-alanine (D-Ala-D-Ala) moiety on bacterial cell wall precursors, preventing the addition of new subunits and leading to the cessation of bacterial growth and eventual death.
What is Dalbavancin used for?
Dalbavancin, marketed under the brand name Dalvance, is a semi-synthetic glycopeptide antibiotic that was approved by the US FDA in 2014 for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI). This medication belongs to a class of antibiotics known as lipoglyopeptides, which exhibit potent activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Dalbavancin’s chemical structure is similar to that of vancomycin, but with some modifications that enhance its stability and bioavailability.
Mechanism of Action and Therapeutic Use
Dalbavancin exerts its antibacterial effects by binding to the bacterial cell wall, disrupting peptidoglycan synthesis and ultimately leading to bacterial cell lysis. This mechanism of action is similar to other glycopeptide antibiotics. Dalbavancin has a broad spectrum of activity against various Gram-positive pathogens, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). It has been shown to be effective in the treatment of ABSSSI, including diabetic foot infections and cellulitis. The medication is administered intravenously and typically given as a single dose of 1500 mg or 1000 mg every two weeks, depending on the severity of the infection.
Dalbavancin side effects
- Injection site reactions
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Pain in extremity
- Pruritus
- Hives
- Angioedema
- Hypersensitivity reactions
- Thrombocytopenia (rare)
- Anemia (rare)
- Increased liver enzymes (AST, ALT)
- Neutropenia (rare)
- Elevated creatine kinase levels
- Joint pain and inflammation (rare)
Disclaimer
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