Infusion-related reaction following daptomycin two-minute rapid intravenous administration

Erythroderma, or red man's syndrome, is a common infusion-related reaction following vancomycin administration. Erythroderma following daptomycin rapid infusion has not been documented.

To report a case of erythroderma following daptomycin 2-minute intravenous (IV) injection.

A review of published literature suggests that this is the first published case of a flushing (nonallergic) reaction resulting from a 2-minute IV injection of daptomycin that is not present with standard IV infusion. A 69-year-old woman following right knee reconstructive surgery presented with right knee joint swelling, purulent discharge, and fever. Subsequently, she was diagnosed with a presumed postsurgical infection and was initiated on vancomycin therapy. Following removal of the infected hardware, the patient was discharged and continued outpatient vancomycin therapy. The patient's renal function began to decline and therapy was discontinued. Daptomycin 6 mg/kg every 48 hours was initiated via 2-minute IV push. On the initial dose, approximately 2 hours post IV infusion, the patient began to notice redness and a warm sensation on her face, neck, and upper part of the chest. Diphenhydramine 25 mg provided limited immediate relief, but all symptoms subsided within 3 to 4 hours. The patient received her next dose 48 hours later over a 40-minute IV infusion with no adverse effects. Subsequent infusions continued at the same dose over 30 minutes for 4 weeks with no further adverse effects.

A 2-minute intravenous injection of daptomycin in this patient yielded a reaction that was not present on rechallenge with standard, extended infusion.