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