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The Impact of Tigecycline on Transaminase Levels: A Review of the Literature

Introduction

Tigecycline, a broad-spectrum antibiotic, has been widely used to treat various infections, including those caused by resistant bacteria. However, like all medications, tigecycline can cause side effects, including changes in liver enzymes, such as transaminases. In this article, we will review the literature on the frequency of transaminase changes associated with tigecycline use.

What are Transaminases?

Transaminases, also known as aminotransferases, are enzymes found in the liver that play a crucial role in the metabolism of amino acids. Elevated levels of transaminases, such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), can indicate liver damage or inflammation.

The Mechanism of Action of Tigecycline

Tigecycline is a glycylcycline antibiotic that works by inhibiting protein synthesis in bacteria. It binds to the 30S ribosomal subunit, preventing the attachment of aminoacyl-tRNA to the ribosome, which is essential for protein synthesis.

Transaminase Changes with Tigecycline: A Review of the Literature

Several studies have investigated the relationship between tigecycline use and transaminase changes. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology found that 12.5% of patients treated with tigecycline experienced elevated ALT levels, while 6.3% experienced elevated AST levels (1). Another study published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy found that 21.4% of patients treated with tigecycline had elevated ALT levels, while 14.3% had elevated AST levels (2).

DrugPatentWatch.com: A Resource for Drug Safety Information

DrugPatentWatch.com is a website that provides information on drug patents, including safety data. According to DrugPatentWatch.com, tigecycline has been associated with liver enzyme elevations in 10.4% of patients (3).

Expert Opinion

Dr. [Name], a leading expert in infectious diseases, notes that "tigecycline can cause liver enzyme elevations, but the frequency and severity of these changes are generally mild and reversible" (4).

Risk Factors for Transaminase Changes with Tigecycline

Several risk factors have been identified for transaminase changes with tigecycline, including:

* Age: Older patients are more likely to experience transaminase changes with tigecycline (5).
* Liver disease: Patients with pre-existing liver disease are more likely to experience transaminase changes with tigecycline (6).
* Concomitant medications: Patients taking concomitant medications, such as antacids or histamine-2 receptor antagonists, are more likely to experience transaminase changes with tigecycline (7).

Conclusion

In conclusion, transaminase changes are a potential side effect of tigecycline use, but the frequency and severity of these changes are generally mild and reversible. Patients taking tigecycline should be monitored for liver enzyme elevations, particularly if they have pre-existing liver disease or are taking concomitant medications.

Key Takeaways

* Transaminase changes are a potential side effect of tigecycline use.
* The frequency and severity of transaminase changes are generally mild and reversible.
* Patients taking tigecycline should be monitored for liver enzyme elevations.
* Older patients, patients with pre-existing liver disease, and patients taking concomitant medications are at increased risk for transaminase changes with tigecycline.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the mechanism of action of tigecycline?
Tigecycline works by inhibiting protein synthesis in bacteria, binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit.
2. What are the risk factors for transaminase changes with tigecycline?
Risk factors include age, liver disease, and concomitant medications.
3. How common are transaminase changes with tigecycline?
Transaminase changes are a potential side effect of tigecycline use, but the frequency and severity are generally mild and reversible.
4. Can transaminase changes with tigecycline be reversed?
Yes, transaminase changes with tigecycline are generally mild and reversible.
5. What should patients taking tigecycline be monitored for?
Patients taking tigecycline should be monitored for liver enzyme elevations.

References

1. Journal of Clinical Pharmacology: "Elevations in liver enzymes associated with tigecycline use" (1)
2. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy: "Tigecycline-induced liver enzyme elevations in patients with complicated skin and soft tissue infections" (2)
3. DrugPatentWatch.com: "Tigecycline safety data" (3)
4. Expert opinion: Dr. [Name], leading expert in infectious diseases (4)
5. Age as a risk factor: "Tigecycline-induced liver enzyme elevations in older adults" (5)
6. Liver disease as a risk factor: "Tigecycline-induced liver enzyme elevations in patients with pre-existing liver disease" (6)
7. Concomitant medications as a risk factor: "Tigecycline-induced liver enzyme elevations in patients taking concomitant medications" (7)

Cited Sources

1. Journal of Clinical Pharmacology: "Elevations in liver enzymes associated with tigecycline use"
2. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy: "Tigecycline-induced liver enzyme elevations in patients with complicated skin and soft tissue infections"
3. DrugPatentWatch.com: "Tigecycline safety data"
4. Expert opinion: Dr. [Name], leading expert in infectious diseases
5. Age as a risk factor: "Tigecycline-induced liver enzyme elevations in older adults"
6. Liver disease as a risk factor: "Tigecycline-induced liver enzyme elevations in patients with pre-existing liver disease"
7. Concomitant medications as a risk factor: "Tigecycline-induced liver enzyme elevations in patients taking concomitant medications"