[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › Lipopeptides

[Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) · Class

# Lipopeptides

Antibiotics that insert into the gram-positive membrane and depolarize it; daptomycin is the only one in use.

Updated 2026-11-01

## What they are

Cyclic lipopeptides kill gram-positive bacteria, including MRSA and many vancomycin-resistant strains, by attacking the cell membrane. Daptomycin, from Streptomyces roseosporus, is the only member in clinical use.

## Mechanism of action

The lipid tail anchors the drug in the bacterial inner membrane, which depolarizes; the loss of membrane potential stops DNA, RNA and protein synthesis and the cell dies. Killing is concentration-dependent. Gram-negative bacteria are not affected.

Target: Cytoplasmic membrane of gram-positive bacteria

## Key points

- Inactivated by pulmonary surfactant: never used for pneumonia.
- Muscle toxicity: CPK rises, myopathy and rarely rhabdomyolysis; statins are paused.
- Eosinophilic pneumonia is a rare but classic adverse effect.
- Useful for S. aureus bacteremia and right-sided endocarditis, and for VRE.

## Drugs in this class

- [**Daptomycin** A once-daily IV lipopeptide for S. aureus bacteremia, right-sided endocarditis and skin infections, including MRSA… Cytoplasmic membrane of gram-positive bacteria](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/daptomycin/)

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Why is daptomycin not used for pneumonia?

Pulmonary surfactant binds and inactivates it, even though it reaches the lung.

## Which laboratory test is followed weekly during daptomycin treatment?

Creatine phosphokinase (CPK), because daptomycin can cause myopathy and rhabdomyolysis.

## How does daptomycin kill bacteria?

It inserts into the gram-positive membrane and depolarizes it; without membrane potential, DNA, RNA and protein synthesis stop.

[Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/classes/lipopeptides/)

[← All of pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/)

Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 14th ed., ch. 58 (McGraw Hill, 2023); [DailyMed - DAPTOMYCIN injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=74176769-b22e-4e41-8c56-051e15ec5fea) (DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026).

## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake

Representative model, for educational purposes only.

---
Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/lipopeptides/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/lipopeptides/