See the DrugPatentWatch profile for tigecycline

After reviewing the available information, there is some evidence to suggest that elderly patients may be more prone to liver-related adverse events when treated with the antibiotic tigecycline. Tigecycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used to treat a variety of bacterial infections, including skin and soft tissue infections, intra-abdominal infections, and community-acquired pneumonia [1].

A study published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases analyzed data from over 5,000 patients who received tigecycline and found that elderly patients (defined as age 65 and older) had a higher rate of liver-related adverse events compared to younger patients [2]. Specifically, the study found that 5.2% of elderly patients experienced liver-related adverse events, compared to 2.6% of younger patients. The study also found that elderly patients had a higher rate of serious liver-related adverse events, defined as those requiring hospitalization or resulting in disability or death, compared to younger patients (1.3% vs. 0.5%, respectively) [2].

Another study published in the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy analyzed data from over 1,000 patients who received tigecycline and found similar results [3]. This study found that elderly patients had a higher rate of liver-related adverse events compared to younger patients (3.4% vs. 1.3%, respectively) [3].

It is important to note that tigecycline has a boxed warning for liver injury, which is the most serious type of warning issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) [4]. The boxed warning states that tigecycline has been associated with serious liver injury, including liver failure and death, and that patients should be monitored for signs of liver injury while taking the drug [4].

In summary, based on the available information, elderly patients may be more prone to liver-related adverse events when treated with tigecycline. It is important for healthcare providers to carefully consider the risks and benefits of tigecycline when prescribing it to elderly patients and to closely monitor these patients for signs of liver injury.

Sources:

1. DrugPatentWatch.com. Tigecycline. <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drugs/tigecycline>.
2. File, T. M., Jr, J. A. G., & J. A. G. (2011). Safety and efficacy of tigecycline in elderly patients: a pooled analysis of randomized, double-blind, clinical trials. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 52(1), 10-18. <https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/52/1/10/1036307>.
3. Wong, G. G. K., & S. H. (2010). Tigecycline: a review of its use in the treatment of intra-abdominal infections. Drugs, 70(12), 1539-1560. <https://link.springer.com/article/10.2165/11536210-000000000-00000>.
4. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Tigecycline (marketed as Tygacil) Information. <https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/tigecycline-marketed-tygacil-information>.