What bacterial infections respond best to tigecycline?

Tigecycline treats a range of complicated skin, intra-abdominal, and community-acquired pneumonia infections caused by resistant gram-positive, gram-negative, and anaerobic bacteria. It is reserved for cases where other antibiotics are unlikely to work.

What pathogens show the highest clinical success rates?
Tigecycline produces cure rates above 80 percent against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci, and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in skin and intra-abdominal infections. [1]

Which infections show lower response rates?
Pulmonary infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Acinetobacter baumannii often respond poorly; clinical failure rates exceed 30 percent when these organisms are isolated from the lungs. [2]

How does tigecycline compare with carbapenems?
In intra-abdominal infections, tigecycline achieves similar cure rates to imipenem-cilastatin but requires twice-daily dosing and carries a higher risk of nausea and vomiting. [1]

What happens if the isolate is resistant to tetracycline?
Tigecycline retains activity against many tetracycline-resistant strains because it evades common efflux pumps, although MIC creep has been documented in some Klebsiella and Enterobacter isolates. [3]

When is tigecycline typically avoided?
Clinicians usually avoid it for bloodstream infections because serum levels are low and treatment failure has been reported in bacteremic patients. [2]

Who makes the branded and generic versions?
Pfizer markets the original Tygacil formulation; several generic manufacturers now supply the intravenous product after patent expiry. [4]

When did exclusivity end?
U.S. regulatory exclusivity for Tygacil expired in 2015, allowing generic entry and subsequent price reductions of roughly 70 percent. [4]

What are patients asking about side effects?
Nausea occurs in up to 25 percent of recipients and is the most common reason for early discontinuation; pancreatitis and liver-enzyme elevations are rarer but documented risks. [1]