What is the typical tigecycline dose for adults?

Standard Adult Dose for Tigecycline

Tigecycline (Tygacil) is given intravenously for complicated skin/skin structure infections, complicated intra-abdominal infections, or community-acquired bacterial pneumonia in adults. The typical regimen starts with a 100 mg loading dose, followed by 50 mg every 12 hours. Treatment duration is 5-14 days depending on the infection.[1]

How to Administer Tigecycline

Infuse each dose over 30-60 minutes. No dose adjustments for mild-to-moderate hepatic impairment, but reduce to 25 mg every 12 hours (after 100 mg load) for severe impairment. For end-stage renal disease or hemodialysis, no change needed as it's not primarily cleared by kidneys.[1]

Dose Adjustments for Specific Conditions

• Obesity: Use actual body weight; no standard adjustment, but monitor closely.
  
• Elderly: No specific changes; pharmacokinetics similar to younger adults.
  
• Pediatrics: Not approved for kids under 8; limited data for 8-17 years at same adult doses for specific infections.[1]
  
  

Common Reasons Doses Might Change

Physicians adjust for drug interactions (e.g., warfarin increases INR) or if superinfection occurs. Tigecycline's broad-spectrum covers multidrug-resistant bugs like Acinetobacter, but higher mortality risk in ventilator-associated pneumonia limits its first-line use there.[1][2]

Side Effects Tied to Dosing

Nausea (26%) and vomiting (18%) are dose-related and most common; occur early, often managed with antiemetics. Avoid in pregnancy (Category D) due to fetal harm risk.[1]

[1]: Tygacil Prescribing Information (Pfizer)
[2]: FDA Label and Clinical Pharmacology Review