Medications and Drugs

Medical Editor: Jay W. Marks, MD

GENERIC NAME: tigecycline

BRAND NAME: Tygacil

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Tigecycline is an antibiotic that is used intravenously for the treatment of infections of the skin and abdominal organs caused by bacteria that are susceptible to it. Tigecycline is similar to tetracycline antibiotics and has activity against a large number of bacteria. Tigecycline binds to bacterial ribosomes, organelles inside the bacteria that produce the cell's proteins. The binding prevents the bacterial ribosomes from producing important proteins that are needed for growth and multiplication of the bacteria. Tigecycline prevents a bacterium from multiplying, but it does not kill the bacterium. Tigecycline was approved by the FDA in June, 2005.

PRESCRIPTION: Yes.

GENERIC AVAILABLE: No.

PREPARATIONS: Single dose vial: 5 ml; 50 mg powder for reconstitution.

STORAGE: The powder should be stored at room temperature between 15-30°C (59-86°F). Once mixed, it may be stored at room temperature for up to 24 hours (up to six hours in the vial and the remaining time in the intravenous bag or refrigerated at 2-8° C (36-46° F) for up to 45 hours in an intravenous bag. 

PRESCRIBED FOR: Tigecycline is used for the treatment of complicated skin infections caused by susceptible strains of bacteria including Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus anginosus group, Streptococcus pyogenes and Bacteroides fragilis.

Tigecycline is used for treating complicated intra-abdominal infections caused by susceptible strains of Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus anginosus group, Bacteroides fragilis, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, Bacteroides uniformis, Bacteroides vulgatus, Clostridium perfringens, and Peptostreptococcus micros.

Tigecycline also is used for treating community-acquired bacterial pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and  Legionella pneumophila.

To prevent resistance, tigecycline should only be used to treat infections caused or very likely to be caused by susceptible strains of bacteria.

DOSING:  Tigecycline is administered via intravenous infusions over 30-60 minutes.  The initial dose is 100 mg followed by 50 mg every 12 hours.  The usual duration of treatment is 5-14 days for complicated skin infections or for complicated intra-abdominal infections.  The recommended duration of treatment for community-acquired bacterial pneumonia is 7-14 days.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tigecycline may decrease the elimination of the blood thinner warfarin thereby increasing warfarin levels in blood. Although the effect of warfarin is not increased, the effect on warfarin and the potential increased risk of bleeding should be monitored by tests of bleeding.

PREGNANCY: Administration of tigecycline to pregnant women may cause harm to the fetus, and use during tooth development may cause permanent discoloration of teeth.

NURSING MOTHERS: Use of tigecycline in nursing women has not been adequately studied. It is not known whether tigecycline is excreted in human breast milk. .

SIDE EFFECTS: The most common side effects of tigecycline are diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Nausea and vomiting is mild or moderate and usually occurs during the first two days of therapy. Other side effects include pain at the injection site, swelling and irritation; increased or decreased heart rate and infections. Tigecycline is similar to tetracycline antibiotics and therefore may have similar side effects such as increased sensitivity to sunlight. As with other antibiotics, overgrowth of organisms that are not susceptible to tigecycline can occur.

Reference: Tygacil Full Prescribing Information. Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Reference: FDA Prescribing Information

Last Editorial Review: 8/23/2005

Printer-Friendly Format

|

Email to a Friend

Back to Medications Index