tigecycline

Generic Name: tigecycline (tye ge SYE kleen)

Brand Names: Tygacil

What is tigecycline?

Tigecycline is an antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body.

Tigecycline is used to treat many different bacterial infections of the skin or the digestive system, as well as pneumonia.

Tigecycline may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about tigecycline?

Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby or cause permanent tooth discoloration later in life.

Tigecycline can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while using tigecycline.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to tigecycline. Children should not use tigecycline. Tigecycline can cause permanent yellowing or graying of the teeth in children younger than 8 years old.

Before using tigecycline, tell your doctor if you are allergic to a tetracycline antibiotic such as demeclocycline (Declomycin), doxycycline (Adoxa, Doryx, Oracea, Vibramycin), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn, Vectrin), or tetracycline (Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap). Also tell your doctor if you have liver disease or if you are using a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven).

You may be shown how to use an IV at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection, and how to properly mix and store the medication.

Use this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics.

Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Tigecycline can make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using tigecycline?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to tigecycline.

To make sure you can safely take tigecycline, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

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  liver disease;

  
  


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  if you are using a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); or

  
  


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  if you are allergic to a tetracycline antibiotic such as demeclocycline (Declomycin), doxycycline (Doryx, Oracea, Periostat, Vibramycin), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn), or tetracycline (Ala-Tet, Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap).

  
  

Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby or cause permanent tooth discoloration later in life. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.

Tigecycline can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while using tigecycline.

It is not known whether tigecycline passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Children should not use tigecycline. Tigecycline can cause permanent yellowing or graying of the teeth in children younger than 8 years old.

How should I use tigecycline?

Tigecycline is injected into a vein through an IV. You may be shown how to use an IV at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles, IV tubing, and other items used to inject the medicine.

Tigecycline must be given slowly, and the IV infusion can take up to 60 minutes to complete.

Tigecycline is a powder medicine that must be mixed with a liquid (diluent) in an IV bag before using it. If you are using the injections at home, be sure you understand how to properly mix and store the medication.

Prepare your dose only when you are ready to give yourself an injection. After mixing, the liquid should appear as a yellow or orange color. Do not use the medication if it has changed to green or black, or if it has any particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.

Use a disposable needle only once. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

Use this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Tigecycline will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Store unmixed powder at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Mixed medicine must be used within 24 hours if you keep it at room temperature.

Tigecycline mixed in an IV bag with sodium chloride or dextrose solution may be stored in a refrigerator and used within 48 hours.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while using tigecycline?

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, stop using tigecycline and call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Tigecycline can make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.

Tigecycline side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using tigecycline and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

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  diarrhea that is watery or bloody;

  
  


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  severe headache, ringing in your ears, dizziness, nausea, vision problems, pain behind your eyes;

  
  


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  nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

  
  


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  severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate.

  
  

Less serious side effects may include:

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  dizziness, sleep problems (insomnia);

  
  


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  headache; or

  
  


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  vaginal itching or discharge.

  
  

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tigecycline Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Intraabdominal Infection:

100 mg IV initial dose, followed by 50 mg IV every 12 hours
Duration: 5 to 14 days, depending on the nature and severity of the infection

Usual Adult Dose for Skin or Soft Tissue Infection:

100 mg IV initial dose, followed by 50 mg IV every 12 hours
Duration: 5 to 14 days, depending on the nature and severity of the infection

Usual Adult Dose for Skin and Structure Infection:

100 mg IV initial dose, followed by 50 mg IV every 12 hours
Duration: 5 to 14 days, depending on the nature and severity of the infection

Usual Adult Dose for Pneumonia:

Community acquired: 100 mg IV initial dose, followed by 50 mg IV every 12 hours
Duration: 7 to 14 days, depending on the nature and severity of the infection

What other drugs will affect tigecycline?

Do not give any of the following drugs through the same IV line used to give your tigecycline injection:

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  amphotericin (Amphocin, Fungizone);

  
  


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  amphotericin B lipid complex (Abelcet);

  
  


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  diazepam (Valium); or

  
  


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  esomeprazole (Nexium I.V.).

  
  

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with tigecycline. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

More tigecycline resources

• Tigecycline Side Effects (in more detail)
• Tigecycline Dosage
• Tigecycline Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Tigecycline Drug Interactions
• Tigecycline Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Tigecycline - Add your own review/rating

• tigecycline Intravenous Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Tigecycline Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Tigecycline MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Tigecycline Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Tygacil Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Tygacil Consumer Overview

Compare tigecycline with other medications

• Intraabdominal Infection
• Pneumonia
• Skin and Structure Infection
• Skin Infection

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about tigecycline.

See also: tigecycline side effects (in more detail)