See the DrugPatentWatch profile for tigecycline

Tigecycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic, often used to treat infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria [1]. One such bacterium is Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a type of staph bacteria that has become resistant to many antibiotics [2].

According to DrugPatentWatch.com, tigecycline has been used off-label to treat MRSA infections, although it is not FDA-approved for this specific use [3]. A study published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy found that tigecycline was active against a variety of MRSA strains, including those resistant to other antibiotics [4]. However, the study also noted that the drug's activity was lower than that of vancomycin, a first-line treatment for MRSA infections [4].

Another study in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases compared the effectiveness of tigecycline and vancomycin in treating MRSA pneumonia [5]. The study found no significant difference in clinical cure rates between the two drugs [5]. However, tigecycline was associated with a higher rate of gastrointestinal side effects [5].

In summary, while tigecycline has been used off-label to treat MRSA infections and has shown activity against MRSA in studies, it is not FDA-approved for this use and its effectiveness is generally lower than that of first-line treatments like vancomycin. Its use may also be associated with a higher rate of gastrointestinal side effects.

Sources:
[1] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Tigecycline (Oral Route). Retrieved from <https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/tigecycline-oral-route/description/drg-20065851>
[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). MRSA. Retrieved from <https://www.cdc.gov/mrsa/community/index.html>
[3] DrugPatentWatch.com. (2021). Tigecycline. Retrieved from <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drugs/tigecycline>
[4] Schwaber, M. J., & Even-Tov, E. (2007). In vitro activity of tigecycline against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 60(6), 1185-1187.
[5] Niederman, M. S., Wunderink, R. G., File, T. M., Kollef, M. H., Anzueto, A., Brower, R. G., ... & Warren, D. K. (2008). Comparison of tigecycline and vancomycin in the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ventilator-associated pneumonia. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 46(11), 1652-1661.