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In clinical studies, more patients who were treated with tigecycline injection for serious infections died than patients who were treated with other medications for serious infections. These people died because their infections worsened, because they developed complications of their infections, or because of other medical conditions they had. There is not enough information to tell whether using tigecycline injection increases the risk of death during treatment. Your doctor will only treat you with tigecycline injection if other medication cannot be used to treat your infection.
Talk to your doctor about the risk of using tigecycline injection.
WHY is this medicine prescribed?
Tigecycline injection used to treat certain serious infections including community acquired pneumonia (a lung infection that developed in a person who was not in the hospital), skin infections, and infections of the abdomen (area between the chest and the waist). Tigecycline injection should not be used to treat pneumonia that developed in people who are on ventilators or who were in a hospital or foot infections in people who have diabetes. Tigecycline injection is in a class of medications called tetracycline antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria that cause infection.
Antibiotics such as tigecycline injection will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Using antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.
HOW should this medicine be used?
Tigecycline injection comes as a powder to be mixed with fluid and injected into a vein. It is usually infused (injected slowly) intravenously (into a vein) over a period of 30 to 60 minutes, once every 12 hours. The length of your treatment depends on the type of infection you have and how your body responds to the medication.
You may receive tigecycline injection in a hospital or you may use the medication at home. If you will be using tigecycline injection at home, your healthcare provider will show you how to infuse the medication. Be sure that you understand these directions, and ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions. Ask your healthcare provider what to do if you have any problems infusing tigecycline injection.
You should begin to feel better during the first few days of treatment with tigecycline injection. If your symptoms do not improve or get worse, call your doctor.
Use tigecycline injection until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop using tigecycline injection too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.
Are there OTHER USES for this medication?
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
What SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS should I follow?
Before using tigecycline injection,
What SPECIAL DIETARY instructions should I follow?
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
What SIDE EFFECTS can this medicine cause?
Tigecycline injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical help:
Tigecycline injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).
What should I do in case of OVERDOSE?
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at http://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.
Symptoms of overdose may include the following:
What OTHER INFORMATION should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body's response to tigecycline injection.
If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish tigecycline injection, call your doctor.
Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.
This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use.
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care.
AHFS® Patient Medication Information™ Copyright, 2025. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists®, 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.
Selected Revisions: March 15, 2020.