Generic name: tigecycline [ tye-ge-SYE-kleen ]
Brand name: Tygacil
Drug class: Glycylcyclines

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 1, 2024.

Uses for tigecycline

Tigecycline injection is used to treat bacterial infections in many different parts of the body (eg, infections on the skin, stomach, or lungs). It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections. This is a tetracycline antibiotic.

This medicine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.

Before using tigecycline

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Use of tigecycline injection in children is not recommended. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Tigecycline may cause permanent discoloration of the teeth and slow down the growth of bones. This medicine should not be given to children 8 years of age and younger, unless directed by the child's doctor.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of tigecycline injection in the elderly.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Acitretin

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Amoxicillin
• Ampicillin
• Bacampicillin
• Bexarotene
• Cholera Vaccine, Live
• Cloxacillin
• Desogestrel
• Dicloxacillin
• Dienogest
• Drospirenone
• Estradiol
• Ethinyl Estradiol
• Ethynodiol
• Etretinate
• Gestodene
• Isotretinoin
• Levoketoconazole
• Levonorgestrel
• Magnesium Sulfate
• Mestranol
• Methicillin
• Methotrexate
• Nafcillin
• Nomegestrol
• Norethindrone
• Norgestimate
• Norgestrel
• Oxacillin
• Palovarotene
• Penicillin G
• Penicillin G Benzathine
• Penicillin G Procaine
• Penicillin V
• Piperacillin
• Pivampicillin
• Sultamicillin
• Temocillin
• Tretinoin

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Cyclosporine
• Pimecrolimus
• Tacrolimus
• Warfarin

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Diarrhea or
• Liver disease or
• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

• Liver disease, severe—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal from the body.

Related/similar drugs

amoxicillin, doxycycline, ciprofloxacin, cephalexin, azithromycin, metronidazole, clindamycin

Proper use of tigecycline

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins. This medicine is given slowly, so the needle will remain in place for about 30 to 60 minutes.

Precautions while using tigecycline

It is important that your doctor check you closely while you are receiving this medicine. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to receive it. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects. If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, call your doctor right away.

Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Birth control pills may not work while you are using tigecycline. To keep from getting pregnant, use another form of birth control along with your birth control pills. Other forms include condoms, a diaphragm, or a contraceptive foam or jelly.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have itching, hives, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after you receive this medicine.

Pancreatitis may occur while you are using this medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you have sudden and severe stomach pain, chills, constipation, nausea, vomiting, fever, or lightheadedness.

Tigecycline may cause diarrhea, and in some cases it can be severe. It may occur 2 months or more after you stop taking this medicine. Do not take any medicine to treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor. Diarrhea medicines may make the diarrhea worse or make it last longer. If you have any questions about this or if mild diarrhea continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.

Tigecycline may cause your skin to be more sensitive to sunlight than it is normally. Exposure to sunlight, even for brief periods of time, may cause a skin rash, itching, redness or other discoloration of the skin, or a severe sunburn. Use a sunscreen when you are outdoors. Wear protective clothing (including a hat) and sunglasses. Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds or booths.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Side Effects of tigecycline

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Cough or hoarseness
• dizziness
• fever or chills
• headache
• lower back or side pain
• pain, warmth, or burning in the fingers, toes, and legs
• painful or difficult urination
• problems with vision or hearing

Less common

• Abdominal or stomach pain
• accumulation of pus
• bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
• changes in skin color
• confusion
• decreased urine
• diarrhea
• difficult or labored breathing
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• fat in the stool
• irregular heartbeat
• muscle pain or cramps
• nausea or vomiting
• nervousness
• numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
• pain
• rapid weight gain
• shortness of breath
• slow or fast heartbeat
• sweating
• swollen, red, tender area of infection
• tightness in the chest
• troubled breathing with exertion
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• unusual weight gain or loss

Rare

• Anxiety
• black, tarry stools
• bleeding gums
• blood in the urine or stools
• chest pain or discomfort
• clay-colored stools
• cold sweats
• dark urine
• depression
• muscle cramps in the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face
• nightmares
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• rash
• shakiness
• slurred speech
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• swelling of the face, ankles, or hands
• swollen glands
• tremor
• unpleasant breath odor
• vomiting of blood
• yellow eyes or skin

Incidence not known

• Bloating
• constipation
• difficulty with swallowing
• hives
• pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Red streaks on the skin
• swelling, tenderness, or pain at the injection site

Less common

• Belching
• heartburn or indigestion
• lack or loss of strength
• stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
• trouble sleeping

Rare

• Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
• change in taste or bad unusual or unpleasant (after) taste
• increased clear or white vaginal discharge
• itching of the vagina or genital area
• pain during sexual intercourse
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Tygacil

Available Dosage Forms:

• Powder for Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antibiotic

Chemical Class: Glycylcycline

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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