See the DrugPatentWatch profile for tigecycline

Transaminase levels are enzymes found in the liver, and an increase in these levels can indicate liver damage or inflammation. Tigecycline is an 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 prescribing information for tigecycline, elevations in liver function tests, including transaminases, have been observed in patients treated with the drug. However, the frequency of this side effect is not explicitly stated in the prescribing information.

A study published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases in 2007 evaluated the safety and efficacy of tigecycline in comparison to imipenem/cilastatin for the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections. The study found that elevations in transaminases occurred in 5.5% of patients treated with tigecycline and 3.3% of patients treated with imipenem/cilastatin. However, the study did not find a significant difference in the incidence of transaminase elevations between the two groups.

Another study published in the journal Critical Care in 2010 evaluated the safety and efficacy of tigecycline in critically ill patients with severe sepsis or septic shock. The study found that elevations in transaminases occurred in 12.5% of patients treated with tigecycline.

In summary, based on the available information, an increase in transaminase levels can occur in patients treated with tigecycline. However, the frequency of this side effect appears to be low, and it is unclear whether the incidence of transaminase elevations is higher with tigecycline compared to other antibiotics.

Sources:

1. Tigecycline Prescribing Information. <https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2010/021867s016lbl.pdf>
2. Stevens, D. L., et al. "Tigecycline versus Imipenem/Cilastatin for Treatment of Complicated Skin and Skin-Structure Infections: Results of Two Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind, Multicenter Trials." Clinical Infectious Diseases, vol. 45, no. 1, 2007, pp. 55-63.
3. Barie, P. S., et al. "Tigecycline in Critically Ill Patients with Severe Sepsis or Septic Shock: A Multicenter, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Phase 3 Trial." Critical Care, vol. 14, no. 6, 2010, p. R223.
4. DrugPatentWatch.com. <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drugs/tigecycline>