Tigecycline

Pronunciation: TYE-ge-SYE-kleen
Generic Name: Tigecycline
Brand Name: Tygacil

Tigecycline is used for:

Treating certain bacterial infections.

Tigecycline is an antibiotic. It works by killing sensitive bacteria.

Do NOT use Tigecycline if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Tigecycline

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Tigecycline:

Some medical conditions may interact with Tigecycline. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have had a severe allergic reaction (eg, severe rash, hives, difficulty breathing, dizziness) to a tetracycline antibiotic (eg, doxycycline)


• if you have liver problems


• if you have a history of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Tigecycline. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Warfarin because the risk of its side effects may be increased by Tigecycline


• Hormonal contraceptives (eg, birth control pills) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Tigecycline

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Tigecycline may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Tigecycline:

Use Tigecycline as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Tigecycline is usually administered as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you are using Tigecycline at home, carefully follow the injection procedures taught to you by your health care provider.


• Tigecycline should be yellow to orange in color. If it contains particles or is discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged in any way, do not use it.


• To clear up your infection completely, take Tigecycline for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days.


• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.


• If you miss a dose of Tigecycline, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Tigecycline.

Important safety information:

• Tigecycline may cause dizziness or drowsiness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Tigecycline with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Tigecycline may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Tigecycline. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.


• Tigecycline only works against bacteria; it does not treat viral infections (eg, the common cold).


• Be sure to use Tigecycline for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.


• Long-term or repeated use of Tigecycline may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this.


• Mild diarrhea is common with antibiotic use. However, a more serious form of diarrhea (pseudomembranous colitis) may rarely occur. This may develop while you use the antibiotic or within several months after you stop using it. Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea, or bloody stools occur. Do not treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor.


• Tigecycline may decrease the effectiveness of your birth control pill. To prevent pregnancy, be sure to use an additional form of birth control (eg, condoms) while using Tigecycline.


• Tigecycline is not recommended for use in CHILDREN younger than 18 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed. Tigecycline may also cause permanent discoloration of the teeth if used during tooth development (CHILDREN younger than 8 years old).


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Tigecycline may cause harm to the fetus. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Tigecycline while you are pregnant. It is not known if Tigecycline is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Tigecycline, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Tigecycline:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Diarrhea; dizziness; increased sweating; nausea; pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site; stomach upset; vomiting; weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody or black, tarry stools; fast or slow heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; sensitivity to light; severe headaches; severe or persistent diarrhea; severe or persistent nausea and vomiting; stomach or back pain with or without nausea or vomiting; swollen, tender stomach; symptoms of liver damage (eg, yellowing of the skin or eyes, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite); unusual vaginal itching or discharge; vision changes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Tigecycline side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include severe or persistent nausea or vomiting.

Proper storage of Tigecycline:

Tigecycline is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Tigecycline at home, store Tigecycline as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Tigecycline out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Tigecycline, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Tigecycline is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Tigecycline. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Tigecycline resources

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

• Tigecycline Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Tigecycline Monograph (AHFS DI)


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


• Tygacil Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Tygacil Consumer Overview

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