Dalvance (dalbavancin) is a glycopeptide antibiotic that's used to treat skin infections caused by certain types of bacteria. But it's usually used for adults and children who specifically have, or might have, an infection from resistant bacteria, which are generally hard to treat. This medication is often given as an infusion through the veins (IV) over 30 minutes for one dose. Even though Dalvance (dalbavancin) is given as an injection, it can still cause headache and stomach-related side effects like nausea and diarrhea.
Skin and skin structure infections (e.g., cellulitis) caused by certain bacteria
Dalvance (dalbavancin) is a glycopeptide antibiotic. It works by stopping bacteria from making a cell wall (their outer protective covering). This causes the bacteria to become vulnerable to harm and have a lower chance of surviving.
Source: DailyMed
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
Typically only need to get one dose for the full treatment course
Works well to treat skin and skin structure infections caused by hard-to-treat bacteria
Can be used in children of all ages
Don't need routine blood tests to check antibiotic levels in the body
Not known to interact with other medications
Must be given as an IV infusion by a healthcare provider
Can cause infusion-related reactions (e.g., skin flushing, itching, rash)
Only approved for bacterial skin and soft tissue infections
No recommendations for use included yet in Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) clinical guidelines for skin and soft tissue infections
Not available as a lower-cost generic
Let your care team know if you develop other symptoms of an illness or if your symptoms become worse. Dalvance (dalbavancin) can only treat infections caused by bacteria, so it won't help if you have an infection caused by a virus or fungus.
Even though Dalvance (dalbavancin) is given as an injection, it can still cause diarrhea. Diarrhea as a side effect isn't typically serious.
Get medical help as soon as possible if you develop watery or bloody diarrhea, fever, fatigue, or stomach cramps anytime during treatment or after stopping Dalvance (dalbavancin). These could be signs of C. difficile-related diarrhea, which can be serious and should be treated right away.
Your care team will watch for any flushing, hives, itching, and rash during your Dalvance (dalbavancin) infusion. Also tell your provider if you feel back pain during or shortly after your infusion. These are all signs of infusion-related reactions. Your provider might need to slow or stop the infusion to make these reactions go away.
Dalvance (dalbavancin) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk factors: Allergy to other related antibiotics
Severe allergic reactions to Dalvance (dalbavancin) are possible. These can include hives and life-threatening reactions like facial swelling or anaphylaxis (e.g., closing of the throat). Get medical help right away if you notice symptoms of an allergic reaction to get appropriate treatment.
Antibiotics, including Dalvance (dalbavancin), raise your risk of getting infected with a bacteria called Clostridioides difficile (C. diff). Antibiotics change the amount of normal bacteria in your stomach and intestines. This can cause C. diff to overgrow in your gut and lead to an infection. C. diff infection can cause diarrhea that can sometimes be life-threatening.
This type of infectious diarrhea is different than the diarrhea you might get as a possible side effect of Dalvance (dalbavancin). C. diff-related diarrhea can cause rapid heart rate, fever, nausea, foul-smelling diarrhea, bloody stools, or frequent bowel movements (even up to 15 times per day). C. diff-related diarrhea is a medical emergency, so get medical attention right away if you experience any of these symptoms. You'll get tested for C. diff infection and receive treatment, if needed.
Dalvance (dalbavancin) is given as an infusion into the veins (intravenous or IV) over 30 minutes. It's administered by a provider in a healthcare setting (e.g., hospital, office, nursing home).
Age 18 years or older: The typical dose is 1,500 mg IV. The medication is either given all at once as a single dose, or given as 1,000 mg for one dose and then 500 mg one week later.
Age 6 years to under 18: The dose is based on body weight. The typical dose is 18 mg/kg (up to 1,500 mg) IV as a single dose.
Age under 6 years: The dose is based on body weight. The typical dose is 22.5 mg/kg (up to 1,500 mg) IV as a single dose.
Your dose might differ if you have kidney problems.
Skin and skin structure infections (e.g., cellulitis) caused by certain bacteria
Skin and skin structure infections caused by certain bacteria in adults
Skin infections (e.g., cellulitis)
Bloodstream infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus ("staph")
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Allergan, Inc. (2024). Dalvance- dalbavancin injection, powder, for solution [package insert]. DailyMed.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) basics.
Leuthner, K., et al. (2016). Clinical efficacy of dalbavancin for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI). Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management.
Pandey, N., et al. (2023). Beta-lactam antibiotics. StatPearls.
Smith, J. R., et al. (2015). Dalbavancin: A novel lipoglycopeptide antibiotic with extended activity against gram-positive infections. Infectious Diseases and Therapy.
Stevens, D. L., et al. (2014). Clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of skin and soft tissue infections: 2014 update by IDSA. Clinical Infectious Diseases.
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