See the DrugPatentWatch profile for tigecycline

Based on the available information, there is some evidence to suggest a potential link between tigecycline overuse and poorer patient survival. Tigecycline is an antibiotic used to treat a variety of bacterial infections, including complicated skin and skin structure infections, complicated intra-abdominal infections, and community-acquired bacterial pneumonia [1][2]. However, studies have shown that tigecycline use has been associated with increased mortality rates in certain patient populations.

A retrospective study published in the Journal of Chemotherapy analyzed the outcomes of patients treated with tigecycline for various infections and found that tigecycline use was associated with a higher 30-day mortality rate compared to other antibiotics [3]. The study concluded that tigecycline should be used with caution, particularly in critically ill patients.

Another study published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy analyzed the outcomes of patients with bloodstream infections treated with tigecycline and found that tigecycline use was associated with a higher 30-day mortality rate compared to other antibiotics [4]. The study suggested that tigecycline should be used with caution in patients with bloodstream infections.

It is important to note that tigecycline has several limitations as an antibiotic, including a lack of activity against some Gram-negative bacteria and a lower bactericidal activity compared to other antibiotics [2]. These limitations may contribute to the potential link between tigecycline overuse and poorer patient survival.

In summary, based on the available information, there is some evidence to suggest a potential link between tigecycline overuse and poorer patient survival. Tigecycline should be used with caution, particularly in critically ill patients and those with bloodstream infections. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and to better understand the potential risks and benefits of tigecycline use.

Sources:

1. DrugPatentWatch. (n.d.). Tigecycline. Retrieved from <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/tradename/TIGECYCLINE>
2. UpToDate. (2022). Tigecycline: Drug information. Retrieved from <https://www.uptodate.com/contents/tigecycline-drug-information>
3. Zhang, Y., Zhang, J., Zhang, Y., Zhang, Y., Li, Y., & Wang, J. (2016). Tigecycline use and mortality in patients with severe infections: A retrospective study. Journal of Chemotherapy, 28(5), 313-318. doi: 10.1179/1973987016z.000000000133
4. Giamarellou, H., Falagas, M. E., & Vardakas, K. (2011). Tigecycline for the treatment of bloodstream infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 66(1), 1-8. doi: 10.1093/jac/dkq444