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Tigecycline (Tygacil): Uses, Side Effects, Interactions & Pill Images

Tigecycline (Tygacil)

uses

What is tigecycline used for?Tigecycline is an antibiotic commonly used to treat certain types of the following infections caused by bacteria.PneumoniaAbdominal infections, such as appendicitis, cholecystitis, diverticulitis, or perforations (a tear) in your intestinesSkin infectionsTigecycline may not be appropriate for some of the infections listed above, depending on which germs are causing the infection. Bacteria in some locations may have developed resistance to tigecycline, which will make it not work as well.Tigecycline may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.How does tigecycline work (mechanism of action)?Tigecycline kills certain types of bacteria by blocking their ability to create proteins. How is tigecycline supplied (dosage forms)?Brands and other namesTygacilDosage forms and strengthsTigecycline is available in an injectable form that is given by a healthcare provider.How should I store tigecycline?Tigecycline is usually given by a healthcare provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store it at home.Â

how to use

liquid that is injected into a blood vessel

drug interactions

Does tigecycline interact with foods or drinks?There are no known interactions between tigecycline and foods or drinks.It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect tigecycline.Does tigecycline interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are taking.In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are taking any of the following before using tigecycline.Warfarin, which is a blood thinnerCyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune, and others) or tacrolimus (Prograf, Astagraf XL, and others), which is a medicine that suppresses your immune systemA birth control pillThis may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with tigecycline. Always check with your healthcare provider.

side effects

What are the most common side effects of tigecycline?The most common side effects of tigecycline are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.NauseaVomitingDiarrheaStomach painHeadacheThere may be other side effects of tigecycline that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.What are the serious side effects of tigecycline?While less common, the most serious side effects of tigecycline are described below, along with what to do if they happen.Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when using tigecycline. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.Nausea or vomitingStomach or belly painFeverWeakness or unusual tirednessItchingLoss of appetiteLight-colored poopDark-colored urine (pee)Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)Inflammation of the Pancreas (Pancreatitis). Tigecycline may cause inflammation of the pancreas, which is called pancreatitis. Stop using tigecycline and call your healthcare provider right away if you have symptoms of pancreatitis, including vomiting or severe pain in the upper part of your belly that travels to your back.Permanent Teeth Discoloration. Tigecycline can cause a permanent change in tooth color to yellow, gray, or brown. It may also affect growth of tooth enamel (also called enamel hypoplasia). These side effects can happen during tooth development in the last half of pregnancy and in children up to age eight years. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. If your child is using tigecycline and is less than eight years old, call your healthcare provider right away.Bone Growth Problems. Tigecycline can cause problems with bone growth, during bone development in the last half of pregnancy and in children up to eight years old. These effects seem to be reversible once the medicine is stopped. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. If your child is using tigecycline and is less than eight years old, talk about this with your healthcare provider.Antibiotic-associated Diarrhea. An overgrowth of germs called Clostridioides difficile, or “C. diff,” can happen in your gut with many types of antibiotics, including tigecycline. This can cause a condition known as antibiotic-associated diarrhea and can happen even up to two months after stopping the antibiotic. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of this condition.Watery diarrheaDiarrhea that does not go awayBlood in your stool (poop)Severe stomach crampsFever that starts after you start or finish the medicineSevere Allergic Reactions. Tigecycline may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using tigecycline and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.Breathing problems or wheezingRacing heartFever or general ill feelingSwollen lymph nodesSwelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throatTrouble swallowing or throat tightnessItching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hivesNausea or vomitingDizziness, feeling lightheaded, or faintingStomach crampsJoint painIncreased Pressure Around the Brain. Tigecycline or medicines that are similar to it can increase the pressure around the brain, a serious condition called pseudotumor cerebri (or increased intracranial pressure). Stop using tigecycline and call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.DizzinessNausea and vomitingSevere headacheVision changesSensitivity to Sunlight. Tigecycline or medicines similar to it may make your skin very sensitive to light from the sun and devices that give off similar light, such as sunlamps and tanning beds. This is called photosensitivity. Use sunscreen and wear a hat and clothes that cover your skin if you need to be in the sunlight. Exposure to this kind of light, even for a short time, can cause your skin to be severely sunburned, blistered, or swollen. Tell your healthcare provider right away if any of these happen.

overdose and misseddose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much tigecycline?If you or someone else has used too much tigecycline, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.What should I do if I miss a dose of tigecycline?Tigecycline is usually given by a healthcare provider in a hospital. Your healthcare provider will make sure you are receiving tigecycline as scheduled.

warnings and Precautions

Who should not use tigecycline?Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use tigecycline.TygacilTigecyclineAny of the ingredients in the specific product dispensedYour pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific tigecycline products they stock.What should I know about tigecycline before using it?Tigecycline is usually given by a healthcare provider in a hospital or clinic. Your healthcare provider will likely check blood work before starting this medicine and while you are using it. This is to monitor for any changes in your blood's ability to clot.What should I tell my healthcare provider before using tigecycline?Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if tigecycline is right for you.In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.Liver problemsDiarrheaAllergy to any other medicine known as a tetracyclineOther Medicines and Supplements. Tigecycline may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using tigecycline, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.Pregnancy. Tigecycline may cause harm to an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant, contact your healthcare provider right away.Breastfeeding. It is not known if tigecycline passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should use tigecycline while breastfeeding.

about

Tigecycline is an antibiotic used to treat certain types of pneumonia, abdominal infections, and skin infections caused by bacteria. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and headache. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you develop watery or bloody diarrhea, even if it is a couple of months after you stop using tigecycline.

Last reviewed on RxList: 06/06/2025