A glycylcycline antibiotic for resistant infections
Tigecycline
An injectable, tetracycline-derived antibiotic used in hospital for resistant infections when other options are unsuitable.
What is Tigecycline?
Tigecycline is an antibiotic given by injection, used in hospital for certain serious infections, including some caused by resistant bacteria. It is a glycylcycline, a type related to the tetracyclines. An important safety point is that studies showed a higher death rate with tigecycline than with some comparison antibiotics, so it is reserved for situations where other treatments are unsuitable. It commonly causes severe nausea and vomiting, can stain developing teeth so is avoided in pregnancy and children, and can rarely cause inflammation of the pancreas.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Tigecycline — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Tigecycline is an antibiotic given as an injection into a vein, used in hospital for some serious infections, including infections caused by bacteria that resist other antibiotics. It belongs to a group called the glycylcyclines, which are derived from and closely related to the tetracycline antibiotics. Because of an important safety concern, it is not a first-choice antibiotic and is kept for situations where other suitable treatments are not available. It is a specialist, hospital-based treatment.
How it works
Tigecycline, like the tetracyclines it is related to, stops bacteria making the proteins they need to grow and multiply, which halts the infection. It was developed to work against some bacteria that have become resistant to older antibiotics, which is why it is used for certain difficult infections. Because it is given into a vein, it reaches the body quickly. It is used carefully and only when needed, partly because of a safety concern seen in studies and partly to help preserve it against resistance.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Specialist manufacturers.
An injectable antibiotic, related to the tetracyclines, used in hospital for certain serious infections when other antibiotics are unsuitable.
Practical use
How to take Tigecycline
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- It is given as an injection into a vein by hospital staff, not taken at home.
- Expect that nausea and vomiting are common; tell the team if they are severe so they can help.
- Report any severe or persistent tummy pain, as it can rarely cause inflammation of the pancreas.
- Tell the team if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or it is being considered for a child, as it can affect developing teeth and bone.
- Tell the team about any allergy to tetracycline antibiotics before it is given.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Tigecycline
Advantages
- Works against certain serious infections, including some caused by resistant bacteria.
- Reaches the body quickly as it is given into a vein.
- Provides an option when several other antibiotics are unsuitable.
Disadvantages
- Studies showed a higher death rate than some comparison antibiotics, so it is reserved for when alternatives are unsuitable.
- Commonly causes severe nausea and vomiting, and can rarely cause inflammation of the pancreas.
- Can stain developing teeth, so it is avoided in pregnancy, breastfeeding and young children.
Practical use
Good to know
The most important point about tigecycline is a safety one: studies found a higher rate of death in people treated with it compared with some other antibiotics, so it is reserved for situations where other suitable treatments cannot be used, and the decision to use it is made carefully by hospital specialists. It commonly causes severe nausea and vomiting, which can be difficult during treatment. Like the tetracyclines it is related to, it can stain developing teeth and affect bone growth, so it is avoided in pregnancy, in breastfeeding and in children below a certain age. It can also, less commonly, cause inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), so tummy pain should be reported. Because of all this, it is used only when the benefits clearly outweigh the risks.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who are allergic to tetracycline antibiotics should not be given it.
- It is avoided in pregnancy and breastfeeding and in children below a certain age, as it can affect developing teeth and bone.
- It is reserved for situations where other suitable antibiotics cannot be used, because of the higher death rate seen in studies.
Monitoring
- Reviewing the infection's response and whether tigecycline remains the right choice.
- Checking liver function and watching for signs of pancreatitis, such as severe tummy pain.
- Monitoring clotting tests in people also taking warfarin.
Side effects
- Severe nausea and vomiting, which are common.
- Diarrhoea, changes in liver blood tests, and reactions where the injection is given.
- Less commonly, inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), and staining of developing teeth in children.
Key interactions
- It may increase the effect of warfarin, raising the risk of bleeding, so clotting is monitored.
- It may reduce how well some other medicines work and is used with care alongside them.
- Tell the team about all your medicines, as several can interact with antibiotics.
Available as: A powder made up into a solution for injection into a vein.
Answers
Tigecycline: frequently asked questions
What is tigecycline used for?
It is an injectable antibiotic used in hospital for certain serious infections, including some caused by resistant bacteria, when other suitable treatments cannot be used.
Why is it reserved rather than used first?
Studies found a higher death rate with tigecycline than with some comparison antibiotics, so it is kept for situations where other suitable treatments are not available.
Will it make me feel sick?
Severe nausea and vomiting are common with tigecycline; tell the hospital team if they are troublesome so they can help manage them.
Can children or pregnant women have it?
It is avoided in pregnancy, breastfeeding and in young children because, like the tetracyclines it is related to, it can stain developing teeth and affect bone growth.
What is pancreatitis and why does it matter?
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, which tigecycline can rarely cause; report any severe or persistent tummy pain to the team straight away.
The wider class
About Glycylcycline antibiotic (tetracycline-derived)
Tigecycline belongs to the glycylcycline antibiotic (tetracycline-derived) class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
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Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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