Drug Reference

Tigecycline

Tetracyclines

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Therapeutic class
Tetracyclines
Action class
Tetracycline-class Antibacterial
Chemical class
Tetracyclines
Habit forming
No
Availability
Prescription (Rx)

Brand names

Tygacil

Available as

50 MG · Injection

FDA label sections are from openFDA and may not reflect the most recent labeling — confirm against the current DailyMed label.

⚠ Boxed warning
WARNING: ALL-CAUSE MORTALITY An increase in all-cause mortality has been observed in a meta-analysis of Phase 3 and 4 clinical trials in tigecycline-treated patients versus comparator. The cause of this mortality risk difference of 0.6% (95% CI 0.1, 1.2) has not been established. Tigecycline for injection should be reserved for use in situations when alternative treatments are not suitable [see Indications and Usage ( 1.4 ), Warnings and Precautions (5.1, 5.2) and Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. WARNING: ALL-CAUSE MORTALITY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. All-cause mortality was higher in patients treated with tigecycline for injection than comparators in a meta-analysis of clinical trials. The cause of this mortality risk difference of 0.6% (95% CI 0.1, 1.2) has not been established. Tigecycline for injection should be reserved for use in situations when alternative treatments are not suitable ( 1.4 , 5.1 , 5.2 , 6.1 ).
Uses
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Tigecycline for injection is a tetracycline class antibacterial indicated in patients 18 years of age and older for: Complicated skin and skin structure infections ( 1.1 ) Complicated intra-abdominal infections ( 1.2 ) Community-acquired bacterial pneumonia ( 1.3 ) Limitations of Use: Tigecycline for injection is not indicated for treatment of diabetic foot infection or hospital-acquired pneumonia, including ventilator-associated pneumonia ( 1.4 ). To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of tigecycline for injection and other antibacterial drugs, tigecycline for injection should be used only to treat infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by bacteria ( 1.5 ). 1.1 Complicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections Tigecycline for injection is indicated in patients 18 years of age and older for the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections caused by susceptible isolates of Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis (vancomycin-susceptible isolates), Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin-susceptible and -resistant isolates), Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus anginosus grp. (includes S. anginosus, S. intermedius, and S. constellatus ), Streptococcus pyogenes, Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Bacteroides fragilis. 1.2 Complicated Intra-abdominal Infections Tigecycline for injection is indicated in patients 18 years of age and older for the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections caused by susceptible isolates of Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecalis (vancomycin-susceptible isolates), Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin-susceptible and ‑resistant isolates), Streptococcus anginosus grp. (includes S. anginosus, S. intermedius, and S. constellatus ), Bacteroides fragilis, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, Bacteroides uniformis, Bacteroides vulgatus, Clostridium perfringens, and Peptostreptococcus micros. 1.3 Community-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia Tigecycline for injection is indicated in patients 18 years of age and older for the treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia caused by susceptible isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae (penicillin-susceptible isolates), including cases with concurrent bacteremia, Haemophilus influenzae , and Legionella pneumophila . 1.4 Limitations of Use Tigecycline for injection is not indicated for the treatment of diabetic foot infections. A clinical trial failed to demonstrate non-inferiority of tigecycline for injection for treatment of diabetic foot infections. Tigecycline for injection is not indicated for the treatment of hospital-acquired or ventilator-associated pneumonia. In a comparative clinical trial, greater mortality and decreased efficacy were reported in tigecycline-treated patients [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] . 1.5 Usage To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of tigecycline for injection and other antibacterial drugs, tigecycline for injection should be used only to treat infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy. Appropriate specimens for bacteriological examination should be obtained in order to isolate and identify the causative organisms and to determine their susceptibility to tigecycline. Tigecycline for injection may be initiated as empiric monotherapy before results of these tests are known.
How it works
12.1 Mechanism of Action Tigecycline is a tetracycline class antibacterial [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )] .
How to use / dosing
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Initial dose of 100 mg, followed by 50 mg every 12 hours administered intravenously over approximately 30 to 60 minutes. (2.1) Severe hepatic impairment (Child Pugh C): Initial dose of 100 mg followed by 25 mg every 12 hours. ( 2.2 ) Obtain baseline blood coagulation parameters, including fibrinogen, and continue to monitor regularly during treatment with tigecyclineetracycline. ( 2.4 , 5.6 ) 2.1 Recommended Adult Dosage The recommended dosage regimen for tigecycline for injection is an initial dose of 100 mg, followed by 50 mg every 12 hours. Intravenous infusions of tigecycline for injection should be administered over approximately 30 to 60 minutes every 12 hours. The recommended duration of treatment with tigecycline for injection for complicated skin and skin structure infections or for complicated intra-abdominal infections is 5 to 14 days. The recommended duration of treatment with tigecycline for injection for community-acquired bacterial pneumonia is 7 to 14 days. The duration of therapy should be guided by the severity and site of the infection and the patient's clinical and bacteriological progress. 2.2 Dosage in Patients With Hepatic Impairment No dosage adjustment is warranted in patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment (Child Pugh A and Child Pugh B). In patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child Pugh C), the initial dose of tigecycline for injection should be 100 mg followed by a reduced maintenance dose of 25 mg every 12 hours. Patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child Pugh C) should be treated with caution and monitored for treatment response [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 ) and Use in Specific Populations ( 8.6 )] . 2.3 Dosage in Pediatric Patients The safety and efficacy of the proposed pediatric dosing regimens have not been evaluated due to the observed increase in mortality associated with tigecycline for injection in adult patients. Avoid use of tigecycline for injection in pediatric patients unless no alternative antibacterial drugs are available. Under these circumstances, the following doses are suggested: Pediatric patients aged 8 to 11 years should receive 1.2 mg/kg of tigecycline for injection every 12 hours intravenously to a maximum dose of 50 mg of tigecycline for injection every 12 hours. Pediatric patients aged 12 to 17 years should receive 50 mg of tigecycline for injection every 12 hours. The proposed pediatric doses of tigecycline for injection were chosen based on exposures observed in pharmacokinetic trials, which included small numbers of pediatric patients [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . There are no data to provide dosing recommendations in pediatric patients with hepatic impairment. 2.4 Monitoring of Blood Coagulation Parameters Obtain baseline blood coagulation parameters, including fibrinogen, and continue to monitor regularly during treatment with tigecycline for injection [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )]. 2.5 Preparation and Administration Each vial of tigecycline for injection should be reconstituted with 5.3 mL of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP, 5% Dextrose Injection, USP, or Lactated Ringer’s Injection, USP to achieve a concentration of 10 mg/mL of tigecycline. (Note: Each vial contains a 6% overage. Thus, 5 mL of reconstituted solution is equivalent to 50 mg of the drug.) The vial should be gently swirled until the drug dissolves. Reconstituted solution must be transferred and further diluted for intravenous infusion. Withdraw 5 mL of the reconstituted solution from the vial and add to a 100 mL intravenous bag for infusion (for a 100 mg dose, reconstitute two vials; for a 50 mg dose, reconstitute one vial). The maximum concentration in the intravenous bag should be 1 mg/mL. The reconstituted solution should be yellow to orange in color; if not, the solution should be discarded. Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration (e.
Side effects
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: All-Cause Mortality [see Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Mortality Imbalance and Lower Cure Rates in Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Anaphylaxis [Warning and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Hepatic Adverse Effects [Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Pancreatitis [Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] The most common adverse reactions (incidence >5%) are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, and increased SGPT. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Apotex at 1-800-706-5575 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. In clinical trials, 2,514 patients were treated with tigecycline for injection. Tigecycline for injection was discontinued due to adverse reactions in 7% of patients compared to 6% for all comparators. Table 1 shows the incidence of adverse reactions through test of cure reported in ≥2% of patients in these trials. Table 1. Incidence (%) of Adverse Reactions Through Test of Cure Reported in ≥ 2% of Patients Treated in Clinical Studies Body System Tigecycline for injection Comparators a Adverse Reactions (N=2,514) (N=2,307) a Vancomycin/Aztreonam, Imipenem/Cilastatin, Levofloxacin, Linezolid. b LFT abnormalities in tigecycline-treated patients were reported more frequently in the post therapy period than those in comparator-treated patients, which occurred more often on therapy. Body as a Whole Abdominal pain 6 4 Abscess 2 2 Asthenia 3 2 Headache 6 7 Infection 7 5 Cardiovascular System Phlebitis 3 4 Digestive System Diarrhea 12 11 Dyspepsia 2 2 Nausea 26 13 Vomiting 18 9 Hemic and Lymphatic System Anemia 5 6 Metabolic and Nutritional Alkaline Phosphatase Increased 3 3 Amylase Increased 3 2 Bilirubinemia 2 1 BUN Increased 3 1 Healing Abnormal 3 2 Hyponatremia 2 1 Hypoproteinemia 5 3 SGOT Increased b 4 5 SGPT Increased b 5 5 Respiratory System Pneumonia 2 2 Nervous System Dizziness 3 3 Skin and Appendages Rash 3 4 In all 13 Phase 3 and 4 trials that included a comparator, death occurred in 4% (150/3,788) of patients receiving tigecycline for injection and 3% (110/3,646) of patients receiving comparator drugs. In a pooled analysis of these trials, based on a random effects model by trial weight, an adjusted risk difference of all-cause mortality was 0.6% (95% CI 0.1, 1.2) between tigecycline for injection and comparator-treated patients (see Table 2). The cause of the imbalance has not been established. Generally, deaths were the result of worsening infection, complications of infection or underlying co-morbidities. Table 2. Patients with Outcome of Death by Infection Type Tigecycline for injection Comparator Risk Difference* Infection Type n/N % n/N % % (95% CI) CAP = Community-acquired pneumonia; cIAI = Complicated intra-abdominal infections; cSSSI = Complicated skin and skin structure infections; HAP = Hospital-acquired pneumonia; VAP = Ventilator-associated pneumonia; RP = Resistant pathogens; DFI = Diabetic foot infections. * The difference between the percentage of patients who died in tigecycline for injection and comparator treatment groups. The 95% CI for each infection type was calculated using the normal approximation method without continuity correction. ** Overall adjusted (random effects model by trial weight) risk difference estimate and 95% CI. a These are subgroups of the HAP population. Note: The studies include 300, 305, 900 (cSSSI), 301, 306, 315, 316, 400 (cIAI), 308 and 313 (CAP), 311 (HAP), 307 [Resistant gram-positive pathogen study in patients with MRSA or Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus (VRE)], and 319 (DFI with and without oste

Safety advice

Conservative summary derived from FDA labeling — defaults to “consult your doctor” unless the label is explicit. Not a substitute for your clinician’s advice.

PregnancyUnsafe
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Tigecycline for injection, like other tetracycline class antibacterial drugs, may cause permanent discoloration of deciduous teeth and reversible inhibition of bone growth when administered during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 , 5.8), Data, and Use in Specific Populations ( 8.4 )] . There are no available data on the risk of major birth defects or miscarriage following the use of tigecycline for injection during pregnancy. Administration of intravenous tigecycline in pregnant rats and rabbits during the period of organogenesis was associated with reduction in fetal weights and an increased incidence of skeletal anomalies (delays in bone ossification) at exposures of 5 and 1 times the human exposure at the recommended clinical dose in rats and rabbits, respectively. Advise the patient of the potential risk to the fetus if tigecycline for injection is used during the second or third trimester. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U. S. general population, the estimated background risk in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. Data Human Data The use of tetracycline-class antibacterial drugs, that includes tigecycline for injection, during tooth development (second and third trimester of pregnancy) may cause permanent discoloration of deciduous teeth. This adverse reaction is more common during long-term use of tetracyclines but has been observed following repeated short-term courses. Tigecycline for injection may cause reversible inhibition of bone growth when administered during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. A decrease in fibula growth rate has been observed in premature infants given oral tetracycline in doses of 25 mg/kg every 6 hours. Animal Data In embryo-fetal development studies, tigecycline was administered during the period of organogenesis at doses up to 12 mg/kg/day in rats and 4 mg/kg in rabbits or 5 and 1 times the systemic exposure at the recommended clinical dose, respectively. In the rat study, decreased fetal weight and fetal skeletal variations (reduced ossification of the pubic, ischial, and supraoccipital bones and increased incidences of rudimentary 14 th rib) were observed in the presence of maternal toxicity at 12 mg/kg/day (5 times the recomm
BreastfeedingCaution
8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS Lactation: Avoid breastfeeding for longer than 3 weeks while taking tigecycline for injection.…
AlcoholNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
DrivingNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
KidneyNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
LiverCaution
…(2.1) Severe hepatic impairment (Child Pugh C): Initial dose of 100 mg followed by 25 mg every 12 hours.…
Warnings & precautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS All-Cause Mortality: A meta-analysis of Phase 3 and 4 clinical trials demonstrated an increase in all-cause mortality in tigecycline-treated patients compared to controls with a risk difference of 0.6% (95% CI 0.1, 1.2). The cause of this increase has not been established. An increase was also seen in a meta-analysis limited to the approved indications [0.6% (95% CI 0, 1.2)]. The greatest difference in mortality was seen in tigecycline-treated patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia. ( 5.1 , 5.2 ) Anaphylactic Reactions: have been reported with tigecycline for injection, and may be life-threatening. Avoid use in patients with known hypersensitivity to tetracyclines. ( 5.3 ) Hepatic Adverse Effects: have been reported with tigecycline for injection. Patients who develop abnormal liver function tests during tigecycline for injection therapy should be monitored for evidence of worsening hepatic function and evaluated for risk/benefit of continuing tigecycline therapy. ( 5.4 ) Pancreatitis: including fatalities, has been reported with tigecycline for injection. If pancreatitis is suspected, then consider stopping tigecycline for injection. ( 5.5 ) Monitoring Blood Coagulation Parameters: Hypofibrinogenemia has been reported with tigecycline for injection. Monitor blood coagulation parameters, including fibrinogen, at baseline and regularly during treatment with tigecycline for injection. ( 5.6 ) Tooth Discoloration and Enamel Hypoplasia: The use of tigecycline for injection during tooth development (last half of pregnancy, infancy, and childhood to the age of 8 years) may cause permanent discoloration of the teeth (yellow-gray-brown) and enamel hypoplasia. ( 5.7 ) Inhibition of Bone Growth: The use of tigecycline for injection during the second and third trimester of pregnancy, infancy, and childhood up to the age of 8 years may cause reversible inhibition of bone growth. ( 5.8 ) Clostridioides difficile associated Diarrhea (CDAD): evaluate if diarrhea occurs. (5.9 ) 5.1 All-Cause Mortality An increase in all-cause mortality has been observed in a meta-analysis of Phase 3 and 4 clinical trials in tigecycline-treated patients versus comparator-treated patients. In all 13 Phase 3 and 4 trials that included a comparator, death occurred in 4% (150/3,788) of patients receiving tigecycline for injection and 3% (110/3,646) of patients receiving comparator drugs. In a pooled analysis of these trials, based on a random effects model by trial weight, the adjusted risk difference of all-cause mortality was 0.6% (95% CI 0.1, 1.2) between tigecycline for injection and comparator-treated patients. An analysis of mortality in all trials conducted for approved indications (cSSSI, cIAI, and CABP), including post-market trials showed an adjusted mortality rate of 2.5% (66/2,640) for tigecycline and 1.8% (48/2,628) for comparator, respectively. The adjusted risk difference for mortality stratified by trial weight was 0.6% (95% CI 0, 1.2). The cause of this mortality difference has not been established. Generally, deaths were the result of worsening infection, complications of infection or underlying co-morbidities. Tigecycline for injection should be reserved for use in situations when alternative treatments are not suitable [see Boxed Warning, Indications and Usage ( 1.4 ), Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ) and Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )] . 5.2 Mortality Imbalance and Lower Cure Rates in Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia A trial of patients with hospital acquired, including ventilator-associated, pneumonia failed to demonstrate the efficacy of tigecycline for injection. In this trial, patients were randomized to receive tigecycline for injection (100 mg initially, then 50 mg every 12 hours) or a comparator. In addition, patients were allowed to receive specified adjunctive therapies. The sub-group of patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia who received tigecycline for injection had lower cure rates (47.9% versus 70.1%
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Tigecycline for injection is contraindicated for use in patients who have known hypersensitivity to tigecycline or to any of the excipients. Reactions have included anaphylactic reactions [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 ) and Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 ) ] . Known hypersensitivity to tigecycline. ( 4 )

Pediatric use

8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There are no data on the presence of tigecycline in human milk; however, tetracycline-class antibacterial drugs are present in breast milk. It is not known whether tigecycline has an effect on the breastfed infant or on milk production. Tigecycline has low oral bioavailability; therefore, infant exposure is expected to be low. Tigecycline is present in rat milk with little or no systemic exposure to tigecycline in nursing pups as a result of exposure via maternal milk. When a drug is present in animal milk, it is likely that the drug will be present in human milk. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for tigecycline for injection and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from tigecycline for injection or from the underlying maternal condition (see Clinical Considerations). Clinical Considerations Because of the theoretical risk of dental discoloration and inhibition of bone growth, avoid breastfeeding if taking tigecycline for injection for longer than three weeks. A lactating woman may also consider interrupting breastfeeding and pumping and discarding breastmilk during administration of tigecycline for injection and for 9 days (approximately 5 half-lives) after the last dose in order to minimize drug exposure to a breastfed infant.

8.4 Pediatric Use Use in patients under 18 years of age is not recommended. Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below the age of 18 years have not been established. Because of the increased mortality observed in tigecycline-treated adult patients in clinical trials, pediatric trials of tigecycline to evaluate the safety and efficacy of tigecycline were not conducted. In situations where there are no other alternative antibacterial drugs, dosing has been proposed for pediatric patients 8 to 17 years of age based on data from pediatric pharmacokinetic studies [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.3 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )]. Because of effects on tooth development, use in patients under 8 years of age is not recommended [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )].

⚑ About half of pediatric medication use is off-label and not described in FDA labels — absence of pediatric information does not mean a medicine is unused or unsafe in children. Confirm with your clinician.

Interactions (label text — not an interaction checker)
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Warfarin: Suitable anticoagulation test should be monitored if tigecycline for injection is administered to patients receiving warfarin. ( 7.1 ) Calcineurin Inhibitors: Serum concentrations of calcineurin inhibitors (e.g., tacrolimus, cyclosporine) should be monitored during treatment with tigecycline for injection due to risk of toxicity. ( 7.2 ) 7.1 Warfarin Prothrombin time or other suitable anticoagulation test should be monitored if tigecycline is administered with warfarin [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . 7.2 Calcineurin Inhibitors Concomitant use of tigecycline for injection and calcineurin inhibitors such as tacrolimus or cyclosporine may lead to an increase in serum trough concentrations of the calcineurin inhibitors. Therefore, serum concentrations of the calcineurin inhibitor should be monitored during treatment with tigecycline for injection to avoid drug toxicity. 7.3 Oral Contraceptives Concurrent use of antibacterial drugs with oral contraceptives may render oral contraceptives less effective.
Overdose
10 OVERDOSAGE No specific information is available on the treatment of overdosage with tigecycline. Intravenous administration of tigecycline for injection at a single dose of 300 mg over 60 minutes in healthy volunteers resulted in an increased incidence of nausea and vomiting. Tigecycline is not removed in significant quantities by hemodialysis.
Current FDA labels (DailyMed)

2 marketed products on record (RxNorm)

Reference only — not clinical advice. Verify against current FDA labeling and consult a licensed provider. About half of pediatric drug use is off-label and is not reflected in FDA labels; absence of pediatric information does not mean a medicine is unused or unsafe in children.