[New drugs; daptomycin].

Being a cyclic lipopeptide, daptomycin belongs to a new class of antibiotics. It acts by forming a pore in the bacterial membrane thus causing leakage of potassium and subsequent depolarization and arrest of cell function. Daptomycin has a bactericidal action on Gram-positive bacteria and is registered for the treatment of adults with complicated skin and soft tissue infections caused by Gram-positive microorganisms. There is limited experience with treatment of Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia. Its main adverse effects include gastrointestinal symptoms, skin reactions at the site of infusion, and raised serum creatine kinase.