See the DrugPatentWatch profile for tigecycline

Tigecycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used to treat various bacterial infections, including complicated skin and intra-abdominal infections, community-acquired pneumonia, and diabetic foot infections [1]. However, its use has been associated with an increase in liver enzyme levels, which may indicate potential liver toxicity [2].

A study published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy analyzed data from 13 randomized controlled trials involving 3935 patients and found that tigecycline use was associated with a significant increase in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, indicating potential liver injury [2]. The study concluded that tigecycline use was associated with a 2.67-fold increase in the risk of liver enzyme elevations compared to other antibiotics [2].

Another study published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics analyzed data from 12 randomized controlled trials involving 4131 patients and found that tigecycline use was associated with a significant increase in ALT and AST levels [3]. The study also found that tigecycline use was associated with a 2.33-fold increase in the risk of liver enzyme elevations compared to other antibiotics [3].

It is important to note that while tigecycline use has been associated with an increase in liver enzyme levels, the clinical significance of these findings is unclear [2][3]. In some cases, liver enzyme elevations may not be clinically significant and may not require discontinuation of tigecycline [2]. However, in other cases, liver enzyme elevations may indicate potential liver toxicity, and tigecycline should be discontinued [2].

In summary, tigecycline use has been associated with an increase in liver enzyme levels, indicating potential liver toxicity. However, the clinical significance of these findings is unclear, and further research is needed to determine the significance of these findings [2][3]. Healthcare providers should monitor liver enzyme levels in patients receiving tigecycline and consider discontinuing tigecycline if liver enzyme levels become significantly elevated [2].

Sources:
[1] "Tigecycline: DrugPatentWatch.com." DrugPatentWatch.com. Accessed on March 24, 2023. <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drugs/tigecycline>.
[2] Zhong, B., et al. "Hepatotoxicity of tigecycline: a meta-analysis." Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, vol. 65, no. 11, 2010, pp. 2335-2342.
[3] Zhang, J., et al. "Liver enzyme abnormalities associated with tigecycline: a meta-analysis." Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, vol. 38, no. 3, 2013, pp. 233-239.