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Prescription medication · Lipoglycopeptide Antibiotic

dalbavancin

Also sold as Dalvance. Dalbavancin treats acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI).

Data updated 2026-05-15

911
FDA reportsRarely reported
Rx
Availability

dalbavancin (Dalvance) is a prescription Lipoglycopeptide Antibiotic. Dalbavancin treats acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI).

Dalbavancin is an antibiotic medicine. It fights bacterial infections of the skin and tissues under the skin.

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What it does

Dalbavancin treats acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI).

Common side effects

Nausea, Headache, Diarrhea

Key warnings

Serious allergic reactions and skin reactions have been reported.

The sections below are summarized in plain English from dalbavancin's FDA-approved prescribing information. They describe what the official label says, and are not personal medical advice.

How It Works

Dalbavancin is a lipoglycopeptide antibiotic. It works by stopping bacteria from growing. This helps your body fight off the infection.

How to Take It

Dalbavancin is given through a vein (IV). It's usually given as a single dose. The IV infusion takes 30 minutes. The dose depends on your kidney function and weight.

This is a plain-language summary of dalbavancin's FDA labeling, not individualized dosing advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before changing how you take this medication.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

It is not known if dalbavancin will harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is also not known if dalbavancin passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take this medicine.

This is a plain-language summary of dalbavancin's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber about pregnancy or breastfeeding on this medication.

Missed Dose

Since dalbavancin is usually given as a single dose, you don't have to worry about missed doses.

This is a plain-language summary of dalbavancin's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber what to do about your specific missed dose.

Storage

Store dalbavancin at room temperature (between 59ºF and 86ºF).

Side Effects (from patient reports)

Based on 911 FDA adverse event reports.

Most-reported reactions

Adverse reactions in FAERS for dalbavancin, by number of reports

reports

What this shows Bars show how often each reaction was reported, not how likely it is to happen, a report records a temporal association, never proof that the drug caused it.

Source FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) As of 2025

Reports over time

Adverse-event reports filed for dalbavancin each year to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).

050100150200 201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025 127

Year-to-year volume tracks usage, prescribing, and scrutiny, not a change in per-patient risk. Source: FDA FAERS.

Where dalbavancin sits

dalbavancin has more FDA adverse-event reports than 6% of the drugs FAERS tracks. A high position reflects how widely a drug is used and watched, not how dangerous it is.

fewest reports most reports

Percentile across all drugs PlainMeds tracks by FAERS report volume. The dot is dalbavancin; the line is the median (50th percentile).

FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis

Detailed analysis of 911 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2014–2025.

Total Reports

911

Reports Mentioning Death

20

2.2% of reports — not proof of cause

Hospitalization Reports

207

Top Indication

Product Used For Unknown Indication

Gender Distribution

Female 331 (48%)
Male 352 (51%)

Age Distribution

0–17 24
18–44 105
45–64 164
65–74 85
75+ 95

Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)

# Reaction Reports
2 RASH 93
3 BACK PAIN 55
4 PRURITUS 55
5 DYSPNOEA 53
7 NAUSEA 49
8 HYPERSENSITIVITY 45
9 ERYTHEMA 42
10 VOMITING 42
11 URTICARIA 37
12 CHEST DISCOMFORT 28
13 INFUSION RELATED REACTION 28
14 DIARRHOEA 26
15 PYREXIA 25
16 ANAPHYLACTIC REACTION 24
17 CHEST PAIN 22

Reactions in Death Reports

DEATH 14
TREATMENT FAILURE 3
PYREXIA 2
CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENT 1
CHILLS 1
DRUG DOSE OMISSION 1
EMBOLISM 1
HAEMORRHAGE 1
MULTIPLE ORGAN DYSFUNCTION SYNDROME 1
NAUSEA 1

Reactions in Hospitalization Reports

DYSPNOEA 18
PYREXIA 15
NAUSEA 14
HYPERSENSITIVITY 13
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY 12
RASH 12
ANAPHYLACTIC REACTION 11
INFUSION RELATED REACTION 11
VOMITING 11
PAIN 9

Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation

Serious Warnings

Serious allergic reactions and skin reactions have been reported. Tell your doctor right away if you have any signs of an allergic reaction. Rapid IV infusion can cause flushing, rash, itching, and back pain. Slowing the infusion may help.

Common Questions

What if I am allergic to glycopeptide antibiotics?
Tell your doctor if you've had allergic reactions to glycopeptide antibiotics like vancomycin. You will be watched closely for any signs of a reaction.
Can dalbavancin cause diarrhea?
Yes, dalbavancin and other antibiotics can cause diarrhea. Tell your doctor if you develop diarrhea, especially if it is severe or bloody.
Will dalbavancin affect my liver?
Dalbavancin can cause changes in liver function tests. Your doctor may check your liver function while you are taking this medicine.
Can children take dalbavancin?
Yes, dalbavancin can be used in children for skin infections. The dose will be based on the child's weight and age.
What if my kidneys don't work well?
If your kidneys don't work well, your doctor may need to adjust your dose.
Are there any drug interactions?
There are no known major drug interactions with dalbavancin.
How will I receive dalbavancin?
Dalbavancin is given through an IV (intravenous infusion) into your vein.
How long does the infusion take?
The IV infusion takes 30 minutes.
What if I experience flushing or itching during the infusion?
Tell the nurse or doctor right away. They may slow down or stop the infusion.
What kind of bacteria does dalbavancin treat?
Dalbavancin treats infections caused by certain Gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus and Streptococcus.
What are the common side effects of dalbavancin?
The most commonly reported side effects of dalbavancin include Nausea, Headache, Diarrhea. Based on 911 FDA adverse event reports. Always consult your healthcare provider about potential side effects.
What drug class is dalbavancin?
dalbavancin belongs to the Lipoglycopeptide Antibiotic drug class. It requires a prescription (Rx). Dalbavancin treats acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI).
Is dalbavancin safe during pregnancy?
It is not known if dalbavancin will harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Always consult your healthcare provider before using any medication during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

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What the FDA Data Shows for dalbavancin

The FDA label for dalbavancin (sold under brand names such as Dalvance) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Lipoglycopeptide Antibiotic class. Dalbavancin treats acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI). Official labeling lists 3 commonly reported side effects, including Nausea, Headache, Diarrhea.

Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 911 voluntary reports. Interaction data is drawn directly from FDA-approved prescribing information. Acquisition-cost data is surveyed weekly by CMS and updated as manufacturers report changes.

Report counts do not establish causation, a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

Data Sources

Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).

FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.

Last updated: October 6, 2025

Data currency: FDA FAERS adverse-event reports through 2025, CMS NADAC acquisition-cost pricing effective December 2024, compiled and last refreshed May 2026. See our methodology for per-source dates and refresh cadence. Spot a figure that looks wrong? Report a correction.

All federal data sources used on this page