Tygacil (tigecycline) is an antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body.
Tygacil is used to treat many different bacterial infections of the skin or the digestive system, as well as pneumonia.
Tygacil should be used only for infections that cannot be treated with other medicines.
Tygacil may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information
Death has occurred more often in people using tigecycline when compared with people using other antibiotics. Deaths were usually caused by complications from the infection or by other medical conditions. It is not known whether tigecycline treatment causes death.
Do not use Tygacil if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby or cause permanent tooth discoloration later in life.
Tygacil can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while using Tygacil.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Tygacil can make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Tygacil if you are allergic to tigecycline.
To make sure Tygacil is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
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liver disease;
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if you are using a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven); or
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if you are allergic to a tetracycline antibiotic (demeclocycline, doxycycline, minocycline, tetracycline).
Death has occurred more often in people using tigecycline when compared with people using other antibiotics. Many deaths were caused by complications from the infection being treated. Some deaths were caused by the patients" other medical conditions. It is not known whether tigecycline treatment causes death. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using Tygacil.
FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use Tygacil if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby or cause permanent tooth discoloration later in life. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.
See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)
Tygacil can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using non hormonal birth control (condom, diaphragm with spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while taking Tygacil.
It is not known whether tigecycline passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Children should not use this Tygacil. Tigecycline can cause permanent yellowing or graying of the teeth in children younger than 8 years old.
How is Tygacil given?
Use Tygacil exactly as it was prescribed for you. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Do not share Tygacil with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.
Tygacil is injected into a vein through an IV. You may be shown how to use an IV at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles, IV tubing, and other items used to inject the medicine.
Tygacil must be given slowly, and the IV infusion can take up to 60 minutes to complete.
Tygacil is a powder medicine that must be mixed with a liquid (diluent) in an IV bag before using it. If you are using the injections at home, be sure you understand how to properly mix and store the medication.
Prepare your dose only when you are ready to give yourself an injection. After mixing, the liquid should appear as a yellow or orange color. Do not use Tygacil if it has changed to green or black, or if it has any particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.
Do not give any of the following drugs through the same IV line used to give your Tygacil injection:
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amphotericin (Amphocin, Fungizone);
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amphotericin B lipid complex (Abelcet);
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diazepam (Valium); or
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esomeprazole (Nexium I.V.).
Use a disposable needle only once. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.
Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Tygacil will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
Store unmixed powder at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Mixed medicine in an IV bag must be used within 24 hours if you keep it at room temperature.
Tygacil mixed in an IV bag with sodium chloride or dextrose solution may be stored in a refrigerator and used within 48 hours.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while using Tygacil?
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, stop using Tygacil and call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Tygacil can make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.
Tygacil side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Tygacil: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
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diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
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increased pressure inside the brain--severe headache, ringing in your ears, dizziness, nausea, vision problems, pain behind your eyes;
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pancreas problems-severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate; or
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liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Common Tygacil side effects may include:
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)
What other drugs will affect Tygacil?
Other drugs may interact with tigecycline, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.
