Dalvance

Dalvance is a prescription medication used to treat acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) caused by sensitive gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Dalvance belongs to a group of drugs called lipoglycopeptide antibiotics. These drugs work by stopping the growth of bacteria.

Dalvance is available in an injectable form to be given directly into a vein (IV) by a healthcare professional.

Common side effects of Dalvance include nausea, headache and diarrhea.

Dalvance is a prescription medication used to treat adult and geriatric patients with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) caused by sensitive gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with Dalvance. See the “Dalvance Precautions” section.

Common side effects of Dalvance include the following:

• nausea
• headache
• diarrhea

This is not a complete list of Dalvance side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

No drug interactions have been evaluated by the manufacturer. However, you should tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Not all drug interactions are known or reported and new drug interactions are continually being reported.

Serious side effects have been reported with Dalvance including the following:

Hypersensitivity (severe allergic reaction). Serious hypersensitivity (anaphylactic) and skin reactions have been reported with glycopeptide antibacterial agents, including Dalvance. Exercise caution in patients with known hypersensitivity to glycopeptides due to the possibility of cross-sensitivity. If an allergic reaction occurs, treatment with Dalvance should be discontinued. Tell your healthcare provider about any signs or symptoms of hypersensitivity, which include the following:

• chest pain
• swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• rash

Infusion reactions. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you get any of these symptoms during or after an infusion this medication:

• hives (red itchy welts) or rash
• itching
• swelling of your lips, tongue, throat or face
• sudden cough
• shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or wheezing
• weakness
• dizziness or feel faint
• palpitations (feel like your heart is racing or fluttering)
• chest pain

Decline in liver function. Tell your healthcare provider about any signs or symptoms of liver damage, which include the following:

• loss of appetite or start losing weight (anorexia)
• nausea or vomiting
• feel tired
• stomach pain or tenderness
• dark urine or light colored stools
• yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes

Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) associated diarrhea. Some antibiotics can kill the “good” bacteria in the colon leading to a growth of C. difficile bacteria. This “bad” bacterium can cause diarrhea and other digestive problems, and these problems may even occur 2 months after the last dose. Tell your healthcare provider if you experience any or all of the following symptoms:

• watery diarrhea (at least three bowel movements per day for two or more days)
• loss of appetite
• abdominal pain or tenderness
• nausea
• fever

Superinfection. Dalvance should not be used for extended periods. Prolonged use can lead to the growth of dangerous organisms that are resistant or unresponsive to this medication. Take Dalvance for the duration prescribed by your doctor.

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Dalvance, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Before taking Dalvance, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to Dalvance or to any of its ingredients
• have liver problems
• have kidney problems
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

There are no well-done studies that have been done in humans with Dalvance. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication, and the babies did not show any medical issues related to this medication.

It is not known if Dalvance crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of Dalvance, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using Dalvance.

This medication is given through a needle placed in your vein (intravenous infusion) in your arm. The infusion will last approximately 30 minutes.

Depending on the dosage regimen your health care provider chooses, you may have a second infusion one week later.

The total dose of Dalvance is 1500 mg. Dalvance can be administered to adults or geriatrics in two different ways. 

1. One 30 minute infusion of 1500 mg 
2. Two 30 minute infusions of 1000 mg and 500 mg, separated by 2 weeks

Deceased doses may be required if you have impaired kidney function. 

Dalvance is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting; it is unlikely that an overdose will occur. However, if overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.