Dalbavancin
About Dalbavancin
Dalbavancin is a prescription antibiotic injection used to treat acute, serious bacterial skin and skin structure infections. It targets specific types of bacteria to stop the infection from spreading and help your skin heal properly. This medication is reserved for deep or complex skin infections that require targeted antibiotic therapy.
Because Dalbavancin is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion, it is administered by a healthcare professional in a clinic or hospital setting. Since it is injected directly into a vein, you do not need to worry about taking it with food, but staying well-hydrated and resting can support your body's recovery. Consistent follow-up with your healthcare team is essential to ensure the infection is completely cleared.
Common side effects of this medicine include nausea, headache, and diarrhoea, which are usually mild. If you experience severe reactions like difficulty breathing, swelling, or severe watery diarrhoea during or after your treatment, you must consult your doctor immediately. Early recognition of these symptoms helps your healthcare team manage them safely.
Before starting your treatment, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease or liver damage, as your dose may need to be adjusted. Do not take this if you have had a severe allergic reaction to similar glycopeptide antibiotics in the past. Your provider will review your medical history to make sure this treatment is safe for you.
While Dalbavancin does not interact widely with many common medications, always tell your healthcare provider about all drugs, supplements, or herbal products you are taking. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or are an elderly individual, consult your doctor to discuss the benefits and risks. Avoiding alcohol during your recovery is also recommended to help your body heal more effectively.
Uses of Dalbavancin
Medicinal Benefits
Dalbavancin offers significant advantages for managing severe bacterial infections, helping you recover safely and comfortably.
Benefits may include:
- Unlike traditional IV antibiotics that require daily infusions over one to two weeks, Dalbavancin stays in your system for a long time, allowing for a complete treatment course in just one or two doses.
- The long-acting nature of this injection means many patients can receive their dose in an outpatient clinic and return home, reducing the need for overnight hospital stays.
- It reliably targets and destroys hard-to-treat bacteria, which helps resolve pain, swelling, warmth, and redness at the infection site.
Directions for Use
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication.
- Dalbavancin will be administered by a healthcare professional.
- Do not self-administer it.
Storage
Side Effects of Dalbavancin
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Nausea
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Mild itching, redness, or pain at the injection site
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as hives, swelling of the face, lips, or throat, and difficulty breathing
- Severe, watery, or bloody diarrhoea, which may occur weeks after treatment and indicate a serious bowel infection.
- Infusion reactions, including flushing of the upper body, itching, or a rash occurring during the infusion
- Signs of liver damage, such as yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or severe stomach pain
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Monitor the Infusion: Let your doctor or nurse know immediately if you feel hot, itchy, or dizzy during the injection, as the infusion speed may need to be slowed down.
- Inspect the Solution: If you are receiving this treatment in a home-health setting, always ensure the mixed solution is clear, colourless-to-light-yellow, and free of visible particles before it is administered.
- Watch for Late Diarrhoea: Severe diarrhoea can occur weeks after your treatment is finished. Do not take over-the-counter anti-diarrhoea medications without asking your doctor first, as they can make the condition worse.
- Complete the Full Evaluation: Even if your skin looks completely healed, attend your follow-up appointments so your healthcare provider can ensure the infection is fully resolved.
Drug Interactions
- Other kidney-affecting medicines: Combining Dalbavancin with other medications that can cause kidney strain (such as certain other antibiotics or strong pain relievers) may increase the risk of kidney damage.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid consuming alcohol while on treatment with Dalbavancin as it may worsen your condition.
Pregnancy
cautionLimited data is available on the use of Dalbavancin in pregnancy. So, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy before receiving Dalbavancin.
Breast Feeding
cautionLimited data is available on the use of Dalbavancin in breastfeeding. It should not be used unless clearly necessary. So, inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding your child before receiving Dalbavancin.
Driving
unsafeAvoid driving vehicles or operating machines after taking this medicine, as Dalbavancin causes dizziness and makes you feel sleepy or dizzy.
Liver
cautionIf you have a pre-existing or a history of liver disease, inform your doctor before receiving Dalbavancin. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your condition.
Kidney
cautionDalbavancin should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Inform your doctor if you have kidney problems. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks. Your doctor may adjust the dose based on your health condition if prescribed.
Children
unsafeDalbavancin is not recommended for use in children below 12 years of age as the safety and efficacy are not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water during your treatment. Staying well-hydrated helps your kidneys process and flush out the medication efficiently while supporting your body's healing process.
- Keep the Wound Clean: Follow your doctor's specific wound care instructions. Gently wash the infected skin if advised, and protect it with clean, dry dressings to prevent reinfection.
- Rest and Recover: Give your body ample rest. Your immune system needs energy to fight off the infection and repair damaged skin tissue.
- Avoid Irritating the Skin: Do not scratch, squeeze, or pick at the infected area, as this can introduce new bacteria and delay healing.
Special Advise
- Even if you feel better after receiving Dalbavancin, do not stop the administration of it. This might cause the symptoms to reappear and will make the infection difficult to treat due to antibiotic resistance.
- Stop receiving Dalbavancin and consult your doctor immediately if you develop any allergic reactions such as itching, skin rash, swelling of the face, throat, tongue, and breathing difficulties.
- Your doctor may suggest a blood test to check your liver and kidney functioning.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Bacterial skin and skin structure infections: Bacterial skin and skin structure infections, also known as skin and soft tissue infections, are infections associated with skin and soft tissues (mucous membrane and loose connective tissue). It can be complicated and uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections. Symptoms include swelling, rashes, itching, pus, pain, and redness.
FAQs
Dalbavancin is used to treat Skin and skin structure infections.
Dalbavancin contains Dalbavancin, an antibiotic that works by interfering with the formation of the bacterial cell wall.
Do not use anti-diarrhoeal medication until the doctor has prescribed you. You can drink plenty of fluids (electrolytes) to avoid dehydration. Besides this, you can also take prebiotics or probiotics to manage diarrhoea, as they may help increase the number of good bacteria in the intestine, aiding digestion.
As Dalbavancin is injectable, it can start working soon after administration. However, Dalbavancin may take a few days to kill the bacteria and prevent further spread of infection.
While there is no direct interaction between alcohol and Dalbavancin, drinking alcohol can dehydrate your body and weaken your immune system, making it harder to recover from a serious skin infection. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for personalised advice.
Mild diarrhoea can happen, but if you develop severe, watery, or bloody diarrhoea, contact your doctor immediately. Do not take any anti-diarrhoea medicines without consulting a healthcare professional first, as it could make the condition worse.
The safety of Dalbavancin in pregnant individuals has not been fully established. It should only be used if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
No, Dalbavancin is an antibiotic specifically designed to treat serious bacterial infections. It will not work against viral infections such as colds, shingles, or the flu. Talk to your doctor to ensure you are receiving the correct treatment for your condition.
A rapid infusion of Dalbavancin can sometimes cause flushing, itching, or a rash on the upper body, similar to a reaction known as 'Red Man Syndrome.' To prevent this, the medicine is infused slowly over 30 minutes. If you experience these symptoms during your treatment, tell your healthcare provider immediately.
Not necessarily. While your first dose may be given in a hospital or clinic, many patients are able to receive Dalbavancin as an outpatient and return home the same day because of its convenient, long-acting dosing. Talk to your doctor about your treatment plan.
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