Tigecycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that primarily affects bacterial protein synthesis, leading to inhibition of bacterial growth and replication [1]. While tigecycline does not directly affect liver enzymes, it is metabolized in the liver, which can lead to indirect effects on liver enzymes.
According to DrugPatentWatch.com, tigecycline is primarily metabolized by the liver through glucuronidation, a process that involves the conjugation of the drug with glucuronic acid [2]. This metabolic pathway is facilitated by enzymes such as UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) [3]. However, tigecycline has been shown to have a low potential for drug-drug interactions, suggesting that it has minimal effects on the activity of liver enzymes involved in its metabolism [4].
It is important to note that tigecycline has been associated with transaminitis, or elevations in liver enzymes such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) [5]. However, these elevations are typically mild and transient, and are not typically associated with liver injury or dysfunction [6].
In summary, tigecycline primarily affects bacterial protein synthesis, but it is metabolized in the liver through glucuronidation. While tigecycline has minimal effects on liver enzymes involved in its metabolism, it has been associated with mild and transient elevations in liver enzymes such as AST and ALT.
Sources:
1. FDA. (2010). Tygacil (tigecycline) tablets for oral use and Tygacil (tigecycline) for injection. Food and Drug Administration. <https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2010/021867s013s014lbl.pdf>
2. DrugPatentWatch. (2023). Tigecycline. DrugPatentWatch.com. <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drugs/tigecycline>
3. Wen, X., Zhang, Y., Li, J., Li, Y., & Wang, J. (2019). Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of tigecycline in critically ill patients. Journal of Intensive Care, 7(1), 1-11. <https://jintensivecare.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40560-019-0372-1>
4. Grossman, S. K., & Pestotnik, S. L. (2007). Tigecycline: a review of its use in the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections and complicated intra-abdominal infections. Drugs, 67(15), 2153-2176. <https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.2165/00129784-200767150-00002>
5. Lodise, T. P., Patel, N., Drusano, G. L., & Nightingale, C. H. (2007). Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic analysis of tigecycline in patients with complicated skin and skin structure infections. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 51(11), 3951-3957. <https://aac.asm.org/content/51/11/3951>
6. Rybak, M. J., Lodise, T. P., & Wen, X. (2015). Tigecycline: an update on its use in the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections. Expert Review of Anti-Infective Therapy, 13(11), 1361-1373. <https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1586/14787210.2015.1095431>