Drug Notes

Tigecycline (By injection)

Tigecycline (tye-ge-SYE-kleen)

Treats infections. This medicine is a tetracycline antibiotic.

Brand Name(s):

Tygacil

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.
• A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some foods and medicines can affect how tigecycline works. Tell your doctor if you are using a blood thinner such as warfarin.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease or have had an allergic reaction to another antibiotic.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Severe diarrhea
  • Pancreas or liver problems
  • Permanent change in tooth color (for children younger than 8 years old)
• Birth control pills may not work as well when used with this medicine. Use a second form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant.
• This medicine can cause diarrhea. Call your doctor if the diarrhea becomes severe, does not stop, or is bloody. Do not take any medicine to stop diarrhea until you have talked to your doctor. Diarrhea can occur 2 months or more after you stop taking this medicine. It may occur 2 months or more after you stop using this medicine.
• Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
• This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Wear sunscreen. Do not use sunlamps or tanning beds.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Diarrhea that may contain blood
• Sudden and severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and lightheadedness
• Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Mild diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain
• Pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 1/27/2017