Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.
Key takeaways
Vancomycin (Vancocin, Firvanq) and daptomycin (Cubicin, Cubicin RF, Dapzura RT) are both antibiotics used to treat serious infections, but they belong to different medication classes. Vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic taken orally to treat *Clostridioides difficile* (C. diff) diarrhea and gut infections caused by *Staphylococcus aureus*. Daptomycin, on the other hand, is a cyclic lipopeptide antibiotic given as an injection to treat serious skin and bloodstream infections, including those caused by methicillin-resistant *Staphylococcus aureus* (MRSA). While vancomycin is available in both capsule and liquid forms and is taken multiple times a day. There is also an IV form of vancomycin but it is used to treat different bacterial infections. Daptomycin is administered once daily through an IV infusion. Both medications are available as a generic medication, whereas daptomycin is typically used in healthcare settings. Common side effects of vancomycin include nausea and stomach pain, while daptomycin can cause headache and diarrhea. Both medications can affect the kidneys, but daptomycin is less likely to cause kidney injury compared to vancomycin. Additionally, daptomycin can lead to a serious muscle problem called rhabdomyolysis, especially if taken with statins.
Vancomycin (Vancocin)
Daptomycin (Cubicin)
Vancomycin (Vancocin)
Daptomycin (Cubicin)
Summary of Vancocin vs. Daptomycin
Summary for Glycopeptide
Prescription only
Vancomycin (Vancocin) is an antibiotic medication that's used to treat Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) diarrhea and certain severe gut infections in both adults and children. Vancomycin (Vancocin) is taken by mouth, typically 3 to 4 times a day. It's available as both oral capsules and a liquid. Common side effects of vancomycin (Vancocin) include nausea and stomach pain.
Summary for Cyclic lipopeptide antibiotic
Prescription only
Daptomycin (Cubicin) is an antibiotic that treats certain serious skin infections and bloodstream infections. It can fight against some bacteria that are hard to treat, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Daptomycin (Cubicin) is given as a quick intravenous (IV) injection over a 2-minute period or as an IV infusion over a 30-to-60 minute period. The dosing depends on your age, weight, kidney function, the type of infection you have, and how severe it is. Common side effects include headache and diarrhea.
Indications of Vancocin vs. Daptomycin
Indications for
•Infectious diarrhea caused by Clostridioides difficile (C. diff)
•Gut inflammation (enterocolitis) caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus)