Review of the pharmacokinetics of dalbavancin, a recently approved lipoglycopeptide antibiotic

Dalbavancin, a recently approved glycopeptide antibiotic, whose disposition is not affected by renal function as compared to vancomycin is used to treat serious infections caused by Staphylococci and Streptococci including multiple drug-resistant strains. Although reviews of the pharmacodynamic and clinical efficacy of dalbavancin have been published, a comprehensive overview of the pharmacokinetic properties including distribution and disposition in animals and humans has not been published. The aim of this review is to summarize the pharmacokinetics of dalbavancin, which justifies the intravenous dosing regimens and to provide considerations and perspectives with regard to dosing strategies. It is concluded that dalbavancin, despite high protein binding offers pharmacokinetic benefits such as good tissue penetration and long half-life. Dalbavancin may be a drug of choice and replace more resource demanding intravenous drugs to treat serious infections in a hospital setting.