Typical Price for Brand-Name Tygacil (Tigecycline)
Brand-name Tygacil, made by Pfizer, costs about $1,000 to $1,500 per 50 mg vial in the US without insurance. A full course for complicated infections (100 mg loading dose, then 50 mg every 12 hours for 5-14 days) runs $10,000-$25,000.[1]
Generic Tigecycline Prices
Generics entered the market after patents expired in 2020-2022. They cost $100-$300 per 50 mg vial, or 80-90% less than brand-name. A comparable treatment course drops to $1,000-$4,000.[1][2]
Why the Cost Difference Exists
Generics lack brand marketing, R&D recovery costs, and have more competition (e.g., from Apotex, Fresenius Kabi, and Sandoz). Savings vary by pharmacy, quantity, and contracts—bulk hospital buys can push generics under $100/vial.[2]
Factors Affecting Real-World Savings
- Insurance and Discounts: Copays for generics often under $50; brand may hit $500+ out-of-pocket. GoodRx coupons cut generics to $80/vial.
- Hospital vs. Retail: Inpatient generics average 85% cheaper; retail vials less common.
- Shortages: Past tigecycline shortages spiked generic prices temporarily to $500/vial in 2023.[3]
Availability and Patent Status
Tigecycline generics launched post-2020 FDA approvals. Key US patents (e.g., US 5,952,532) expired, with no major litigation blocking entry. Check DrugPatentWatch.com for updates on remaining exclusivities or ANDAs.[4]
[1]: IBM Micromedex RED BOOK (2024 pricing data).
[2]: GoodRx and Drugs.com (Q4 2024 averages).
[3]: FDA Drug Shortages Database (2023 reports).
[4]: DrugPatentWatch.com - Tigecycline