What is Dalbavancin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects and More

Dalbavancin is a powerful antibiotic that doctors give through an IV to treat serious bacterial skin infections. This medication belongs to a group called lipoglycopeptide antibiotics, which work by stopping harmful bacteria from building their protective cell walls.

What makes dalbavancin special is that it stays in your body for a very long time. This means you typically only need one or two doses instead of taking daily antibiotics for weeks. It's specifically designed for adults who have complicated skin and soft tissue infections that haven't responded well to other treatments.

What is Dalbavancin Used For?

Dalbavancin treats acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) in adults. These are serious infections that go deeper than just the surface of your skin and often involve the layers underneath, including fat, muscle, or connective tissue.

Your doctor might prescribe dalbavancin when you have infections like cellulitis, major abscesses, or wound infections. It's particularly effective against gram-positive bacteria, including some that resist other antibiotics. These bacteria include Staphylococcus aureus (including MRSA), Streptococcus species, and Enterococcus faecalis.

The medication is reserved for more serious infections because it's such a strong antibiotic. Your healthcare provider will typically choose dalbavancin when other antibiotics haven't worked or when the infection is severe enough to require hospitalization.

How Does Dalbavancin Work?

Dalbavancin is a very strong antibiotic that works by attacking the cell walls of bacteria. Think of bacterial cell walls like the protective shell around an egg - without it, the bacteria can't survive.

The medication specifically targets an enzyme called transglycosylase, which bacteria need to build and maintain their cell walls. When dalbavancin blocks this enzyme, the bacteria literally fall apart and die. This makes it what doctors call a "bactericidal" antibiotic, meaning it kills bacteria rather than just stopping them from growing.

What's remarkable about dalbavancin is its long half-life, which means it stays active in your body for about 8-9 days after a single dose. This extended presence allows it to continue fighting the infection long after you've received the IV infusion.

How Should I Take Dalbavancin?

Dalbavancin is only given through an IV infusion in a hospital or clinic setting. You cannot take this medication by mouth at home. A healthcare professional will always administer it to ensure proper dosing and monitor you for any reactions.

The infusion typically takes about 30 minutes to complete. Your nurse will give it to you slowly through a vein in your arm. Before the infusion, you don't need to fast or avoid eating specific foods, though it's always good to stay well-hydrated.

Most people receive either one dose of 1500 mg or two doses given a week apart (1000 mg initially, then 500 mg seven days later). Your doctor will determine which schedule works best for your specific infection and overall health condition.

How Long Should I Take Dalbavancin For?

The beauty of dalbavancin is that you typically only need one or two doses total. Unlike traditional antibiotics that require daily pills for 7-14 days, dalbavancin's long-lasting effect means the treatment is usually complete after just one or two hospital visits.

If you receive the single-dose regimen, you'll get 1500 mg once and that's it. With the two-dose regimen, you'll receive the second dose exactly seven days after the first one. Your doctor will choose the approach based on factors like the severity of your infection and how you respond to treatment.

Even though you're not taking daily medication, the antibiotic continues working in your body for weeks after the infusion. This extended activity is what makes the short treatment course so effective for serious skin infections.

What Are the Side Effects of Dalbavancin?

Like all medications, dalbavancin can cause side effects, though most people tolerate it well. The most common side effects are generally mild and temporary.

Here are the side effects you might experience, starting with the most common ones:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Rash or itching
• Pain, redness, or swelling at the IV site

These symptoms usually improve within a day or two and rarely require stopping the medication. However, you should always let your healthcare team know if you experience any discomfort.

More serious side effects are uncommon but can include severe allergic reactions, irregular heartbeat, or a dangerous condition called C. diff colitis (severe intestinal inflammation). If you experience difficulty breathing, severe abdominal pain, or persistent watery diarrhea, seek medical attention immediately.

Who Should Not Take Dalbavancin?

Dalbavancin isn't suitable for everyone, and your doctor will carefully review your medical history before prescribing it. You should not receive this medication if you've had an allergic reaction to dalbavancin or similar antibiotics in the past.

People with certain heart conditions need extra caution because dalbavancin can affect heart rhythm. Your doctor will likely check an EKG before treatment if you have a history of heart problems or take medications that affect your heart rate.

This medication is not approved for children under 18 years old, as safety and effectiveness haven't been established in pediatric patients. Additionally, if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, your doctor will weigh the benefits against potential risks before recommending dalbavancin.

Dalbavancin Brand Name

Dalbavancin is sold under the brand name Dalvance in the United States. This is the most common name you'll see on hospital records and medication labels.

The medication is manufactured by Allergan (now part of AbbVie) and has been available since 2014. When discussing your treatment with healthcare providers, they might refer to it by either name - dalbavancin or Dalvance.

Dalbavancin Alternatives

Several other antibiotics can treat serious skin infections, though each has different advantages and dosing schedules. Your doctor might consider alternatives based on your specific bacteria, medical history, and treatment preferences.

Common alternatives include vancomycin, which requires daily IV infusions for 7-10 days, or linezolid, which comes in both IV and oral forms. Telavancin is another long-acting option, though it requires daily infusions for 7-10 days rather than dalbavancin's one or two doses.

Newer options include oritavancin, which is also a single-dose treatment, and tedizolid, which can be given for 6 days either IV or orally. Your healthcare provider will choose the best option based on your infection's characteristics and your overall health status.

Is Dalbavancin Better Than Vancomycin?

Dalbavancin and vancomycin are both excellent antibiotics for serious skin infections, but they work differently and have distinct advantages. The main benefit of dalbavancin is convenience - you need only one or two doses instead of daily IV treatments for over a week.

Vancomycin has been the gold standard for decades and has extensive research backing its effectiveness. However, it requires daily monitoring of blood levels and can cause kidney problems with prolonged use. Dalbavancin doesn't require this intensive monitoring.

In terms of effectiveness, studies show both medications work equally well for treating complicated skin infections. Your doctor will choose based on factors like your kidney function, the specific bacteria causing your infection, and whether you prefer fewer hospital visits.