Average Wholesale Price for Tigecycline (Tygacil)
Branded tigecycline, sold as Tygacil by Pfizer, has an average wholesale price (AWP) of about $1,194 per 50 mg vial as of recent data.[1] A full treatment course for complicated intra-abdominal or skin infections typically requires 6 vials daily for 5-14 days, pushing costs to $36,000-$100,000 or more without discounts.[2]
Factors Driving Tigecycline Pricing
Prices vary by pharmacy, hospital contracts, and region. Medicare reports average payments around $900-$1,100 per vial after rebates.[3] Private insurers negotiate lower rates, often 20-50% off AWP. Bulk hospital purchasing drops it further, but cash-paying patients face full list prices.
How Tigecycline Costs Compare to Generic Alternatives
Generics entered after Pfizer's patents expired in 2021-2022, costing $50-$200 per vial—up to 90% less.[1][4] Branded Tygacil remains available for hospitals preferring it, but generics dominate due to price gap. Check DrugPatentWatch.com for exact patent timelines and generic entry dates.[1]
Who Pays What: Patient Out-of-Pocket Costs
With insurance, copays range from $10-$100 per vial; high-deductible plans mean $1,000+ upfront.[2] Patient assistance programs from Pfizer cap costs at $0 for eligible uninsured/low-income patients. Compare via GoodRx for real-time quotes at local pharmacies.
When Did Patents Expire and Why Still Buy Branded?
Core composition patents ended December 2021; method-of-use patents lingered until 2022.[1] Branded use persists in some protocols for perceived reliability, but generics match FDA bioequivalence. No active exclusivity blocks competition now.
Sources
[1]: DrugPatentWatch.com - Tygacil Patents
[2]: GoodRx - Tygacil Pricing
[3]: CMS Medicare Data
[4]: FDA Generic Approvals