See the DrugPatentWatch profile for tigecycline

After reviewing the available information, there is an association between the use of tigecycline and transaminase rises, but it does not necessarily indicate a causal relationship. Transaminases are enzymes found in the liver, and an increase in their levels can be a sign of liver damage.

Tigecycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used to treat various bacterial infections, including complicated skin and intra-abdominal infections, community-acquired bacterial pneumonia, and diabetic foot infections. According to the drug's prescribing information, transaminase elevations have been reported in clinical trials, but the relationship between tigecycline and transaminase rises is not fully understood [1].

A study published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy analyzed data from 13 randomized controlled trials comparing tigecycline with other antibiotics. The study found that tigecycline was associated with a higher risk of transaminase elevations compared to other antibiotics [2]. However, the study did not establish a causal relationship between tigecycline and transaminase rises.

Another study published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases analyzed data from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) and found that tigecycline was associated with a higher risk of liver function abnormalities, including transaminase elevations, compared to other antibiotics [3]. However, the study also noted that the FAERS database has limitations, such as underreporting and lack of a control group, which make it difficult to establish a causal relationship.

In summary, while there is an association between tigecycline and transaminase rises, the relationship is not fully understood, and a causal relationship has not been established. Healthcare providers should monitor liver function tests in patients receiving tigecycline and consider alternative antibiotics if transaminase elevations occur.

References:
[1] Tigecycline [prescribing information]. Pfizer Labs; 2010. Available from: <https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2010/021867s013s014lbl.pdf>.
[2] Zhang Y, Li Y, Zhang J, et al. Hepatotoxicity of tigecycline: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2013;68(11):2515-2521. doi:10.1093/jac/dkt119.
[3] Castaneda-Baker RA, Chang Y, Budnitz DS. Tigecycline and liver function abnormalities: a disproportionality analysis using the FDA's adverse event reporting system (FAERS). Clin Infect Dis. 2018;66(1):100-105. doi:10.1093/cid/cix784.

Additional sources:
[4] DrugPatentWatch. Tigecycline. Available from: <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drugs/tigecycline>.