See the DrugPatentWatch profile for tigecycline

Tigecycline is an antibiotic used to treat a variety of bacterial infections, including complicated skin and intra-abdominal infections, community-acquired pneumonia, and diabetic foot infections [1]. However, its high cost has been cited as a potential factor influencing prescribing habits.

According to DrugPatentWatch.com, tigecycline has been off-patent since 2019, which may lead to increased competition and potentially lower prices [2]. However, even with the potential for lower prices, tigecycline remains one of the more expensive antibiotics on the market.

A study published in the Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy found that tigecycline was one of the top 10 most expensive antibiotics in the United States, with an average cost of $2,523 per course of treatment [3]. This high cost can be a barrier for some patients, leading to underutilization of the drug.

Furthermore, a study published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy found that the high cost of tigecycline was a significant factor influencing prescribing habits among physicians [4]. The study found that physicians were less likely to prescribe tigecycline due to its high cost, even when it was the most appropriate treatment option.

In summary, the high cost of tigecycline has been shown to influence prescribing habits, with some physicians less likely to prescribe the drug due to its high cost. However, with the drug now off-patent, there may be potential for lower prices and increased utilization of the drug in the future.

Sources:

1. Tygacil (tigecycline) for injection, for intravenous use. Prescribing information. Pfizer Inc; 2017. Available at: <https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/021923s023lbl.pdf>.
2. Tigecycline. DrugPatentWatch.com. Available at: <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drugs/tigecycline>.
3. Thakur R, Choudhry NK, Gellad WF. Trends in antibiotic expenditures in the United States, 2000-2013. J Manag Care Spec Pharm. 2016;22(1):55-62. doi:10.18553/jmcp.2016.22.1.55.
4. van den Tillaart M, van der Velden N, van Nieuwkoop C, et al. Factors influencing the use of tigecycline in the Netherlands. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2013;68(11):2532-2538. doi:10.1093/jac/dkt153.